A story has just appeared on the official Ulster Rugby Union website confirming the signing of Ruan Pienaar on a two-year deal.
Sharksworld reported a few days ago that we had it on good authority that Pienaar would indeed leave the Sharks at the end of the year. The Ulster announcement states that negotiations are ongoing regarding Pienaar’s release from the Sharks, which presumably means they would like to get him before 31 October, when his current deal runs out.
If historical precedent is anything to go by, the Sharks are unlikely to stand in Pienaar’s way, since his mind is made up. Both Johann Muller and Deon Carstens were given early releases from their contracts to take up employment with foreign teams and Pienaar would, if consistency is to be assumed, appear to have played his last game for the Sharks.
Cheers, Pines. We’ll miss you.
oh well, flaky player at best with no bmt…
hmmm… i am afraid that Ruan’s been more valuable to the sharks (I mean nothin to take away from Deon and Johann) as he is not yet nearing his career. Will be interesting to see how it develops.
Rather interesting move a year befor WC.
Monty Dumond must be doing cartwheels
that’s if the sharks are not eye-ing Toby Flood 
@Megatron (Comment 3) : or even worse Charlie Hodgson HAHAHAHAHAHA
@Megatron (Comment 4) : are you enjoying talking to yourself?
@rekinek (Comment 2) :
YIP Everyone else is trying their best to come back yet Ruan is leaving??????????????
Strange that indeed.
Good Luck Ruan……enjoy the Magners League, it is a great competition !
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 6) :
It is a very strange move….. lots of lesser players have their agents furiously negotiating moves before the RWC, because they know after the RWC they will not get a deal, with plenty more players on the market.
Can we assume Ruan won’t be at the RWC
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 7) : Yes well now actualy I have a reason to get TOPTV now…
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 7) : unfortunately the euro is speaking loud and clear
till recently though it was stil denied
but if his heart is not at the sharks its better to go
i ask this though?? why do other unions fight releasing players that do not want to play for them ? yet the sharks dont stand in a players way
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 6) : I think a stint there would do him good. There is too much hype abouth the guy here especially after De Villiers made him his tiger
Just the timing weird.
shit the way its going now we will be playing for 15th spot in super rugga next year lol
@sharks_lover (Comment 10) :
strange and this is this unethical union that likes to go to court
there is no official word from the Sharks yet, isn’t it.
@Uli (Comment 9) : TOPTV
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 8) : not necessarily – I think PdDivvie still has feelings for him
ok – now I am talking to myself
@Uli (Comment 9) :
….Silver lining !
One has to wonder what is going wrong at the Sharks setup.
Is it the coach or is it PDV who keeps on breaking the Sharks players, making them play out of a position that. The Sharks need to start having a look at them selves and there seems to be more to this than what the eye meet.
I see no reason, except administration of the Sharks squad that could lead to the players being so unhappy here to want to get a way out of this place.
The sharks are on there way down and out at the moment and following the same trend as what the Lions are. See that there are so many coaches in the current Sharks structure, it makes me think….
ARE THERE TOO MANY FINGERS IN THE PIE?
@sharks_lover (Comment 10) :
I don’t think their is any great future in holding onto anyone that wants to be somewhere else !
@rekinek (Comment 15) :
Don’t you have to be playing in the Super 15 to get selected and obviously he won’t be !
@rekinek (Comment 14) : http://www.toptv.co.za
See you get Setanta Africa that shows the Mangers League
@sharks_lover (Comment 12) :
…not necessarily a lol situation !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 19) : Bakkies case is a quite good example that it can actually work.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) : there was this rule about not selecting foreign based players. As you can see from Welsh game line up – there are precedents (I counted 6
@Uli (Comment 21) : will have a look
@rekinek (Comment 25) : http://www.setanta.com/africa/Our-Sports/Rugby/
They showing the Final this weekend @ 17:30
@rekinek (Comment 23) :
I think Bakkies could be at Toulon sooner than later !
S_L… so who was right about this one and who wasn’t?
(sorry to gloat, but you kinda asked for it a little!)
@robdylan (Comment 28) :
@robdylan (Comment 28) : sharks_forever always likes to think he is a connected individual
last night he was telling everyone with hearing ability that he spoke to “Tendai” and everything will be sorted. Gloat rob! Hehehe
@sharks_lover (Comment 10) : who denied it mr connections? Hahaha
Megatroll
Stop acting like a 12 year old! Sheesh!
Yet another “great” deal done for the “good” of Sharks rugby !
Everything is hunky dory !
When will Andre Pretorius take up the reigns of this overflogged Shark horse…
Once a free stater, always a free stater. I hope we’ll never have to suffer with these bleeding free state imports/converts, we shoulda known their in it for the money.
Not long before the rebels will be confirming the duppies signing, then we’ll be freed from most free state, no wonder we’re poaching from Jo’burg these days, maybe they’ll have a bit more loyalty.
@wpw (Comment 32) :look who is talking
i’ll call grant10 now with your pacifier
@Heavens Game (Comment 33) : they’re taking AP on a 1 week medical, they make him catch flights between jozi & durban just to see if his butt is in tact…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 34) : Juba, Lem, Pieter Muller…etc those damn Free Staters with their tenuous Natal links. No loyalty at all…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 34) : what about the famed Sharks Academy?
@Heavens Game (Comment 36) : Lem?! Not free state boyeeeee, just went to varsity there.
Btw, how many players went overseas during their days?!
@Megatron (Comment 35) : Yeah, he might have to be put in a padded crate with the warning:
“Fragile. Right side up!”
Wonders…
@Heavens Game (Comment 36) : if you couldn’t afford to bring back one of your own (butch) why would you expect the mercenaries to stick around?
Sias & Robert Ebersohn, Mapoe, Meyer Bosman? seems like you okes still like to rape the Free State of its products.
@Megatron (Comment 37) : Got raped by Straueli
@FireTheLooser (Comment 38) :
neither is Andre Joubert. he is from ladysmith in NATAL.
The Free Staters are to dim witted and thick skulled to realise that. They carry on about so many players being stolen from them.
BOO HOOO Cry me a freekin river.
First off they are wrong half the time and the players don’t HAIL from the OFS and secondly, get over yourselves you have a KAK admin in a KAK location and you will never hold on to your players.
GET OVER IT.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 38) : As I said, “tenuous” links…
Its a global market for players, just ask Frank Steyn, Carl Hayman, Jean De Villiers, Jerry Collins, Hernandez, Michalak…
In the past players came FROM overseas to the Sharks who were THE benchmark: Lawton, La Croix, Roumat, Mendez to the Sharks. Earlier players such as Mexted (Natal) and BI Lion Winterbottom for the Lions… Could continue on and on…
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 42) : What about those Sharks “traitors” like Grant, Aitken, Stransky, Muir who went all “mercenary” for another province. You smoking your socks now…
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 42) : Thanks, wasn’t sure of Jouba, those bleeding inbreeds from the state probably believes everyone with an afrikaans surname playing for the Sharks must be a sheep. The Sharks is mos a brittiesh team.
Sodding brain dead plonkers.
@Heavens Game (Comment 43) : Keep going, you might be the proud owner of your first star, until then, enjoy virginity
@Heavens Game (Comment 44) :
Please find me ONE, JUST ONE, instance where I have called anyone who has left Durban for another SA province a mercenary?
Quite the contrary, you will find that i and MOST Sharks fans actually wish guys well when they move on to other provinces. I may have been forced to go to school in the OFS but they couldn’t brainwash me to have their mentality.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 46) : I’m alright with no stars. Virginity is a virtue, especially if you have to bendover with no lube to lose it…
3 Stars = 3 ?
I hope I don’t get banned now…
@Heavens Game (Comment 44) : the Sharks are the Real Madrid of Rugby!!!!
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 47) : A bit hypocritical to brand Free Staters mercs then, innit?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 46) :
Currently sitting on 110 points. @ 5 points per comment he is only 28 comments away from being an u/19 player.
@Megatron (Comment 49) :
There’s a farking smiley for you 
@Heavens Game (Comment 50) :
HUH?
@Heavens Game (Comment 48) : Bend over for who, Straeuli? Hahahaha
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 53) : Apologies. Am confusing your comments with loosefire
@Heavens Game (Comment 48) : I was referring to you being a star virgin, I’m not in the least interested in your perverted sexual preferences or lack there off.
Btw, aren’t you representing one of the websites that’s advertised on here? Not a good add at all.
@Heavens Game (Comment 52) : i’m worried about what’s going on at the Tank, my little cousin plays wing for the Sharks XV i wonder if they will jerk him about too!
@Heavens Game (Comment 55) : okay
@Megatron (Comment 57) : Is he also from the state?
@Megatron (Comment 57) : Angazi…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 56) : Heavens Game is a married man, his Banshee will call anytime now and he will scuttle off to take his viagra
@FireTheLooser (Comment 59) : No, definitely not a Stater!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 56) :
I have stated before to many, my only sexual preference is often..
But as you stated, I am a virgin, starry or not…
Maybe I can represent a website for Scope. They had many stars…
@Megatron (Comment 62) : Then you have no worries
@FireTheLooser (Comment 56) :
NO heavens Game is in NO WAY connected with Heavensgame.com our host.
He has ignored polite requests to change his nickname.
@Heavens Game (Comment 60) :what?
@Megatron (Comment 61) : Floksake !!! The Banshee’s reputation precedes me… She unfortunately does not support the Sharks and Boks as I do. She supports a funny team called ‘Quins and Le Rosbifs…
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 65) : Had me worried for a while
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 65) : Hows That
@Heavens Game (Comment 69) : Trying to change my display nick
@Heavens Game (Comment 70) :
Click on your name above your comment box.
it will open a new screen which is your profile page.
In there you can change your nickname and also add a photo if you want.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 65) : There you go, am I legit now?
@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 72) : Seems you’re starting to enjoy it here
@Heavens Game (Comment 67) : haha big ups to the banshee
@HG (Heavens Game – not the sponsor) (Comment 72) :
always been legit but you ARE a little less misleading now.
I am disappointed Ruan is leaving, he must not rate his chances for the WC if he is leaving just before a WC year when everyone else is trying to come back.
O well good luck Ruan, wish you all the best.
Now considering the current “problems” (At a higher level that is)at the Sharks, don’t you guys think that it might be a good idea to arrange some sort of “get together” at the Sharks offices? We can then “demand” (I use this term very lightly) to speak to whoever is running the show and give them a list of our concerns. We can also let them know that we think they are complete idiots and will have to get the ship back on course before it is too late.
Well that’s just my opinion and might count for nothing. But just consider it and let me know if there is a better way then this of getting their attention. O and please don’t suggest that we arrange a “stay away”, because I doubt they would notice.
O well off to bed, hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.
if fourie du preez has confirmed that he is leaving after the world cup, why would ruan jeopardise being the incumbent Bok 9 by signing a 2yr deal?
Unless he is of the same mentality as his pal francois that even if they’re overseas they deserve to be selected!
@Farlington (Comment 77) : Why “demand”. Why not line them up against the wall and apply Chinese justice. Its cheap and effective…
From today’s local media reports in Northern Ireland it appears that Pienaar will almost exclusively be playing at No. 9 for Ulster. He will also be available for this seasons tri-nations and of course the SA tour to Great Britain and Ireland in November. I don’t think his International ambitions will suffer too much as he should also have an extended break in Feb/March 2011 due to the 6 Nations.
@The FRU (Comment 80) :
Your avatar has been approved. if you can’t see it press “Ctrl + F5″ at the same time to refresh the screen.
The problem is the SARU policy of NOT picking players outside SA. THAT will do the damage. The Overseas guys have been picked now for two reasons.
1) becasue the Bulls and Stormers are in the Finals of the S14
2) (My opinion this) Also as a carrot to entice them to come back to Sa before the RWC.
@Megatron (Comment 78) :
I have said before. Ruan is not interested in playing World Cup from bench as Morne’s backup. He has already one medal in this position. And he can’t count on PDV . Helium just keeps talking how higly he rates Ruan and choses Morne. The public opinion also is hard on Ruan so his decision was quite easy. Although I don’t rate his choice Ulster is a sad place and not a great team.
It seems as if Fransie and Ruan decided to wait until PDV quits.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 81) : Most countries have a similar policy though perhaps they are not as trenchant as SA and NZ. For example Ireland give preferred selection to home based players.
However it would not surprise me if you find BJ Botha and Ruan Pienaar playing in South Africa on loan from Ulster from Feb 2011 should Ulster fail to qualify for the knock out stages of the European competitions.
wow only three years ago we had what was seen as a great future backline but now there all gone ,I think the shark bosses are trying to make the sharks bad on purpose ,was brian van zyl the one who built the sharks up in the 90,s cause if he is then how do u explain whats going on now ,whats happening now is a mystery to say the least ,lambies going to get swapped between flyhalf and fullback get fustrated and leave
Goodbye!!
Any players currently negotiating with other unions, should take their underware and teddybears and f@ck @ff!! They are not loyal to the union and hence they dont deserve to wear the jersey.
@JarsonX (Comment 85) :
I disagree. It is the professional era and this sort of thing will happen.
I wish the guy luck and hope he comes back an even stronger player.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 86) : Money isnt everything in life.
Maybe thats why I’m still poor 
I have no problem with players making financial-based decisions to move. After all, they won’t be playing forver.
I do believe very strongly however that only SA-based players should play for the Boks.
@JarsonX (Comment 85) : Agree with you @KSA Stormer © (Comment 86) : Disagree with you @JarsonX (Comment 87) : Agree with you again @Big Fish (Comment 88) : Disagree with first part, agree with second part
A couple of days ago I got a lot of stick from some guys on this site, when I said that if the players change strip, why cant the fans change strip as well.
The common feeling was that you stick by your team…..
WELL I SAY AGAIN, IF THE PLAYERS GIVE UP THE JERSEY SO EASY, WHY CANT WE AS FANS CHANGE OUR YEARS OF LOYALTY AS EASY AS THAT
And to everybody who says “its a profesional game, they understand and agree with the players financial decisions…” bla bla bla, crap crap crap…… We support them with our all, for years and years and years… And then the players just chase the money and the union has to start building every one or two seasons.
Great!!!
@SharksRTB (Comment 90) :
look if someone was paying me to support a certain team and someone else came along and said we’d pay you more if you supported our team AND I knew i could only support a team until I was in my early thirties then I’d move to the new tam if the money was better.
We are fans, they are players, the difference is as big as the gap across the grand canyon.
We support them as a “hobby” part time. This is their CAREER. I know “I” have certainly changed JOBS because I would get better money.
How many on here can say they have NEVER changed Jobs because the money at the new JOB was better?
P
SS Off Ruan Pienaar. 
Very Very disapointed in you. 
And this is from one of your biggest supporters.. (Was one of your biggest supporters)
@SharksRTB (Comment 94) :
No Worries the supporters who really support him will continue supporting him,
ME being one of them.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 93) : Doing something you love, in this case playing rugby, is not a job, its a privilege, getting money for it is a bonus.
@JarsonX (Comment 96) :
So Gysie Pienaar lies after all….
I’m going to take this as a blessing in disguise, let the vets run off and let the rookies get their chance to proof their worth.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 95) : Good on you mate. I am not.
@JarsonX (Comment 99) :
Ruan is hardly a vet though is he? He has only turned 26 this year. A good 5-7 years ahead of him yet.
@JarsonX (Comment 99) : But RP is not a vet
@SharksRTB (Comment 102) : ya, i would not habve him near my fish
@rekinek (Comment 103) :
Bwhahahahahahha
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 104) : I will also keep supporting Ruan.
Pity for the Sharks though.
I got up this morning and feel pretty much the same as I did last night. Maybe it is the flu, maybe it is the fact that it is getting colder in Jozi, or maybe it is because my team is in a downward spiral. (The sound of a pilot shouting “Mayday – Mayday” echeos in my head when thinking about the Sharks future)
How big a loss is Ruan in real terms?
Massive potential, but noth that much delivery. This is probably better for him and the union. And for the record, his willingness to play in all sorts of positions seems to indicate to me that he is a real team player.
Let’s wish him the best of luck and hope he is allowed to settle in one position at last.
You can’t blame Ruan and I wish him all the best.
I’m surprised more players aren’t jumping ship with the way things seem to be going at the Tank. I wouldn’t be too shocked if Lambie gets retreaded as a 10 the moment Ludik is fit to play.
The only good thing is that Charl will now get the playing time he deserves at decent competition level.
Why do I get the feeling that the Sharks are losing more players then any other union. Can we really put this down to only money? I suspect, no wait I’m pretty damn sure that our players are unhappy about something within (higher up) and no one will admit what it is.
@SharksRTB (Comment 102) : @KSA Stormer © (Comment 101) : more experienced players
@Farlington (Comment 109) : if there’s a problem, nobody’s saying nothing!
But as you say, a fair few are voting with the feet…
@Farlington (Comment 109) : my thoughts as well
it seems straeuli is refuting the ruan move and accusing ulster of breaching irb regulations by talking to ruan while still contracted to the sharks…
what about talking to mapoe? Willem Alberts, Ludik?
“Basically, they’re announcing something they can’t announce,’ Straeuli told keo.co.za.”
“Bringing Ruan to Ulster is a massive statement of our ambition to be competing with the top teams in the Magners League and European Cup,’ said Humphreys.”
Eish – time for a new commercial manager, or better communication with the press.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 114) :
It is funny as Frans was leaving Sharks at the same time last year also being bound till the end of the year.
And after Frans left it was inevitable that Ruan goes overseas as well.
All this “hot air” over a young guy who wants to explore his options and a new world!
Ruan, go enjoy the great big world out there and come back to us all the better for the expeience!
@SharksRTB (Comment 90) :
You can change who you support as often as you want to….just stop moaning and DO IT!
The Sharks will not miss you….they don’t need “fair weather” friends.
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 95) :
You and Me2
@robdylan (Comment 111) : hiyas rob no problem boet but remember that statement i made with you was 2 fold it also includes smitty
now i said according to my source he couldn t see smitty going , wasnt so sure of ruan and i had said i cant see him leaving before the world cup ,
well obviouslt i got that one wrong
so round 1 to you 
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 116) : amen
what people are not seeing here is a trend??
they are blamming the players BUT , i see more into it
there seems to be a lot of players wanting to leave the sharks , that tells me management has a problem or has been the problem
and also how much blame is comming from PDIV side???
not saying players are innocent , but i think there is more then meets the eye
@sharks_lover (Comment 119) : You are a scholar among savages. You seeing it from the right perspective – the players who are leaving interestingly enough are also the ones doing a fred astaire up and down the backline based on the coaches whims.
I see Rudi denies the Ruan move and claims that Ulster has not followed the proper channels…..bleddie twee gat jakkals.
@sharks_lover (Comment 118) :
@sharks_lover (Comment 120) : there always is with that lot!
@Pokkel (Comment 122) : he sort of denies without denying.
@sharks_lover (Comment 120) :
You are right. Not everything is rosy in Danish Kingdom.
For me it seems that DIV is a slave of some senior players but he apparently cannot get in touch with younger ones.
The biggest problem for me is that Piet doesn’t believe in his own skills ( probably rightly so), withdraws with his own decisions following demands of senior players and so called public voice and as a result you cannot trust him and his decisions are unfair.
I will be sad to see Pienaar (the confident one) go but I think many of the players who just want to get on with playing the bloody game will be breathing a sigh of relief. The Sharks may be the poorer for it at flyhalf and maybe scrumhalf but at least those battling for those 2 positions will now know whats going for what. His leaving may offer some needed stability to the team dynamic.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 121) : thanks kindly sir WS
Sammy, I reckon you’re spot on
and so it came to pass
some people owe frans steyn an apology
Guys watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcx5QoFM4-Y
and see what we are missing at the sharks.
@sharks_lover (Comment 130) : I agree with you 100%. I remember how the spectators boohooed him off the park the one day @ Absa
@Uli (Comment 132) : agreed
i was there last year and was disgusted at supporters behavior
sharks supporters have gone backwards bigtime
@sharks_lover (Comment 133) :
Yes that was terrible and I doubt he will be back at the Sharks if he has to reconsider what happened there.
Hopefully rudi can get a red carpet out if he ever visits Absa again.
Boo-ing a player is disgusting behaviour, but Percy has shown how to shut the yobs up. Simply go out there and play such great rugby that they don’t have an option but to applaud.
@Megatron (Comment 4) : gee its the first to hear from you so much in 1 thread mmmm under cover
old troll 
at least the BLUE BULLS ( SA )won and not the Saders eeeaaahhhh
until next year
now you are a OLD Black or who
@KSA Stormer © (Comment 6) : why before the WC 2011
@chaz (Comment 137) : sorry macking room for the young
@rekinek (Comment 16) : we only need and of them and your not one only the troll
@chaz (Comment 139) : what did I do
