The Toyota Cheetahs captain, Victor Sekekete, has welcomed the idea of the seasoned Ruan Pienaar becoming a part of the coaching staff.

Pienaar is set to join the Cheetahs management team when he decides to retire as a player and it is believed that this current season is his last.

At 39-years-old, the 88-time capped Springbok has earned a wealth of experience over the last two decades and he will certainly be an asset to the franchise. 

One of Pienaar's big values is that he is as consistent as a human being as he is a player, and this is a very important characteristic for some aspiring to be a successful coach. In addition, he most certainly and the respect of the players he plays with and against.

Sekekete told OFM Sport that Pienaar will be just as valuable as a coach as he currently is as a player.

“He is a great guy and a valuable player,” said the man who led the Cheetahs to their seventh Currie Cup title.

“Losing him as a player... you are going to feel it.

“I think, hearsay, the Cheetahs putting him into a vital coaching position will also be good for the team. He has played with a couple of the guys and because of the guy he is and what he has achieved, will be good for Free State Rugby.”

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs will start training again next week in preparation for the SA Cup and their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 game against Clermont. The SA Cup will get underway at the end of March, while the Cheetahs will face the French Top14 team in April.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport