A lot has changed in the four months since Ruan Pienaar was last in Belfast. On a personal level, he has become a father for the second time, welcoming a son into the world. At Ulster, his great friend, Johann Muller has retired but fellow South Africans Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Wiehahn Herbst have arrived. On the coaching front, David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe have parted ways with the Province and Neil Doak and Les Kiss have been preparing the team.
A lot has changed in the four months since Ruan Pienaar was last in Belfast. On a personal level, he has become a father for the second time, welcoming a son into the world. At Ulster, his great friend, Johann Muller has retired but fellow South Africans Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Wiehahn Herbst have arrived. On the coaching front, David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe have parted ways with the Province and Neil Doak and Les Kiss have been preparing the team.
We caught up with the Ulster scrumhalf to talk about those changes, the past few months, his injury and his love of Belfast.
RP: It is brilliant to be back in Belfast, it has been a while. It has been four months since I left to go to South Africa so obviously delighted to be back here and to see everyone. I just can’t wait to get back on the pitch again.
As good as it was to spend a couple of months back in South Africa we really missed being here. This is our home now so it’s nice to have our own space and to come back to our own house and to see all the familiar faces again. For me and my family it is really good to be back here and we are looking forward to the next couple of seasons.
It must have been an exciting summer with your new arrival?!
RP: My little boy was born about 12 weeks ago, so we have grown as a family. He is doing really well and his sister has adapted well to life having a brother. We are just really blessed to have a boy as well and hopefully he can come over and watch a few games when he is a bit older.
How much will you miss Johann Muller and how do you believe the other South Africans who have arrived in the summer will fare at Ulster Rugby?
RP: Obviously it is sad with Johann having left. We are great friends from our days at the Sharks. He was a great leader here and a friend to everyone. With that, it is nice to see new faces here. Louis has settled in nicely and he has been playing well from what I have heard. Franco and Wiehahn as well. It’s nice to see guys that I have known back in South Africa and guys that I have built friendships with over the years – to have them here at Ulster is wonderful. They have enjoyed the culture and the lifestyle here in Belfast and are enjoying what Ulster has to give.
What about the knee injury that you picked up playing for the Springboks?
RP: It has been a busy time back home. Straight after our final game of last season I was straight into camp with the Springboks, then I had four weeks of training and playing. Then in the break my boy was born and then I was straight into the Rugby Championship. It has been busy but at the end it felt like I was starting to find some form. Picking up the injury is disappointing. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise giving the body a bit of a rest but still it’s disappointing having to do rehab instead of preparing for a game on the weekend.
And the big question, everyone is asking… When will you be back?
RP: None of us are sure. I have lost a bit of muscle in my legs and I need to strengthen that again. Hopefully the ligaments will settle nicely. I am in capable hands with the physios and doctors here so hopefully I’ll get back on the pitch in the next couple of weeks.