Pienaar's 'baby' growing up so fast
It seems like just the other day that the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International was born. And, as a 'parent' of this exciting tournament, Francois Pienaar could not be any prouder of his so-called 'baby'.
"I'd say this baby of ours is still crawling," said Pienaar, the co-founder of the Varsity Cup.
"It's just about to stand up and grab hold of a chair... (and) I have no doubt that the Varsity Cup will be walking soon... then running... and, finally, sprinting!"
It is hard to blame Pienaar for being so proud of the Varsity Cup - a tournament that has, in just three years, captured the imagination of the South African rugby public.
Having kicked-off for the first time in February 2008, the first-ever Varsity Cup will best be remembered for its dramatic final at Coetzenburg a few weeks later when the Maties scored a try on the full-time hooter to beat UCT and lift the trophy.
Since then, the tournament has continued to make headlines - not only for its exciting rugby and various cutting edge off-field innovations, but also because of its worth as a 'feeder-system' to the Currie Cup and Super 14 competitions.
Provincial talent aside, however, the Varsity Cup has also produced Sevens Springboks in Kyle Brown, Chase Minnaar and Robert Ebersohn and a full Springbok tourist in the shape of Juan de Jongh.
"Yes, the reports have been favourable," Pienaar told varsitycup.co.za, "but I think the Varsity Cup is still 30 to 40% from where it can be. That's the challenge, for us, over the next few years and something we are well aware of."
Pienaar and his Varsity Cup brainstrust will sit down after the 2010 tournament for their annual 'audit' - to see what did and did not work this year - but he was happy to report that most of the new innovations this year had been very well-received.
"I 'borrowed' the Pink Shorts concept from the IPL [cricket]. People were skeptical at first that the players wouldn't embrace it, but it has produced a huge debate amongst the supporters and the players have treated it as a real honour - it's been a great concept and we've also managed to do some good (through the Pink Shorts campaign) with the Varsity Cup Trust.
"[Varsity Cup CEO] Duitser Bosman came up with the idea of singing the national anthem before kick-off and I think that's been another amazing aspect to the tournament this season.
"It's those kinds of things that help build pride and it contributes to everyone being more passionate about their country," said Pienaar, who - these days - serves as the Varsity Cup's Sponsorships Manager.
"At Monday's final, before kick-off, we are officially 'handing over' to the 2010 Soccer World Cup," he added, "it's an exciting time for everyone and we are all behind the event and, of course, our country's team, Bafana Bafana."
Looking ahead to Monday's grand finale between the Maties and the Ikeys (kick-off 6.30pm), Pienaar is once again anticipating "a cracking match between the two star sides in the history of the Varsity Cup".
"It's the final that both teams deserve," he said.
"Who can forget those scenes in 2008 when some fans had to climb trees and walk up the mountains to catch a glimpse of that dramatic finale?
"I have no doubt we will see similar scenes come this Monday... Maties deserve a lot of credit for their various initiatives, and their huge crowds - but, then again, who can blame the spectators for wanting to watch a cracking final (like Maties v the Ikeys)?"
Pienaar, as one would expect, will be at Monday's final - but he will have a few more passengers in his car this time, with his two young sons champing at the bit ahead of the game.
"My boys cannot wait and that's what I love about this tournament - it's for young and old. I like to call it 'sportainment'; that's what it's all about - watching wonderful rugby and having fun with your family and friends."
Well, come Monday night there won't be a whole lot of fun had by the 30 players on the field, as they tear into each other for the right to be crowned as Varsity Cup champions in 2010.
"I'm not brave enough to put money on it, but let's just say that the Varsity Cup will be the real winner," chuckled the 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok captain.
"Just one game separated Stellenbosch and UCT this year - the league match that the Maties won at the Danie Craven [Stadium] two weeks ago. The winner on Monday will be the true Varsity Cup champions."
By Howard Kahn