Former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar (59) has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Pienaar led South Africa to their first Rugby World Cup victory in 1995, receiving the William Webb Ellis trophy from former president Nelson Mandela at Ellis Park Stadium.
“To be getting this accolade is like coming full circle for me. It really is humbling,” said Pienaar, a UJ alumnus.
“I feel like one of the luckiest sportsmen in the country. I have had the opportunity to experience what sport can do. This is indeed a full circle moment for me, and I feel very blessed to be able to receive this accolade from the university today,” he said, according to the UJ website.
Pienaar met his wife, Nerine, at the university during their first Private Law 101 class at the D Labs.
He paid tribute to Springbok coach Kitch Christie, who coached the team to the 1995 victory, and Mandela.
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“Allow me to highlight two giants, Moir ‘Kitch’ Christie, our coach, mentor, a fighter, a believer, and a genius, and Nelson Mandela,” Pienaar said.
“The reason I am getting this honorary degree is because of these giants on whose shoulders I was able to stand from a very young age. Because of them, I was lucky enough to do extraordinary things. And for this, I am deeply grateful.”
Pienaar played 29 Test matches for the Springboks, captaining them in each one.
- Source: Kickoff
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