The seasoned campaigner, Pienaar, has played alongside Steyn at the Sharks and Montpellier, and also in numerous Tests for the Springboks.

Steyn, who hails from the Free State but never played for the province at senior level has signed a two-year contract at the Cheetahs.

Earlier the Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, acknowledged that Pienaar played a big role in luring Steyn back to the Free State. Steyn in his turn conceded that he is starting to look towards retirement and being in the City of Roses will ease the transition into farming fulltime.

He does however still have a role to play at the Cheetahs before farming and he has stated that he is also targeting next years’ British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Pienaar who won the World Cup with, Steyn, in 2007 told OFM Sport that his long-time friend will add a lot of value to the Cheetahs, especially for the younger members of the squad.

“I think everyone is excited to see to Frans Steyn in Bloemfontein, and he is coming back to where it all started for him.

“A long time ago already he said that the ideal place for him to retire would be Bloemfontein and playing for the Cheetahs.

“His farm is quite close to Bloemfontein and that will allow him to pursue his farming adventure and getting more time to do that. The farm and an outdoors lifestyle is a massive passion of his.

“A lot of youngsters will benefit from having a guy like Frans in the team. He still has a passion to perform well and play well, and I think that it will be great for the youngsters to learn from him and see how he operates.

“Frans is an extremely passionate guy and he never gives less than 100% for any team he plays for and we have already seen that over the years.”

The three Free Staters, Steyn, Os du Randt and Dr. Sherylle Calder are the only South Africans to win the Rugby World Cup on two occasions.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport