IT APPEARS THAT there may be some relief for Ulster fans on the cards, with the latest rumours in France claiming that Ruan Pienaar will not join Toulon next summer.
Last month, the sports daily L’Équipe reported that the South African’s move to the Heineken Cup holders was a done deal ahead of next season. However, an article in today’s Midi Olympique now claims that the World Cup winner will not be moving to the Mediterranean coast.
The rugby newspaper instead says that Toulon have focused their attention on scrum-half Rory Kockett, whose contract at Castres expires next June. The South African notably led his side to glory in last season’s Top 14 final against Toulon, when he scored 13 points, and at the age of 27, represents a longer-term option than his compatriot.
The u-turn in Pienaar’s move to Bernard Laporte’s side has been put down to two possible reasons; either Toulon feel they have enough of South Africa’s 2007 squad already or Pienaar himself has had a change of mind and has pulled out of signing the pre-contract deal.
Either way, the news should be welcomed by Ulster fans, who will now hope their province can tie the 29-year-old to a new contract beyond the current season.
Pienaar arrives back in Ireland today, having participated in the Rugby Championship with his country over the last number of weeks. The scrum-half played the final 10 minutes of the Springboks’ 38-27 loss to new Zealand on Saturday. Now his attention will turn to the Heineken Cup and helping his province to prepare for the visit of the Leicester Tigers on Friday night.
