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Pienaar's pick

Former Springbok captain favors Wales

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Posted: Monday September 13, 1999 04:04 PM

Francois Pienaar: "I would say that Wales are the dark horses at this World Cup and no other team can write them off." David Rogers/Allsport

LONDON (Reuters) -- Former South African captain Francois Pienaar said Monday that Wales, armed with the record-breaking boot of fly-half Neil Jenkins, could be the surprise team of the rugby union World Cup.

Pienaar, who lifted the 1995 trophy, said: "They are a very good side and if you look at their results, they are actually the form side in the world at the moment.

"They have won their last nine games and they will be a very difficult side to stop. I would not rule them out as contenders."

Pienaar, speaking during the launch of his autobiography "Rainbow Warrior," said Jenkins, who has 879 international points and is expected to overhaul Michael Lynagh's world record of 911 during the tournament, was a key man.

"They have a great goal-kicker and they are always vital in World Cup matches. If you look at the other sides, not many have great kickers.

"I would say that Wales are the dark horses at this World Cup and no other team can write them off. When the World Cup came to South Africa everyone said that we were not ready to win it, but we did.

"Wales could be the side, like us, who come through unexpectedly and wins the tournament."

New Zealand is regarded as the World Cup favorites, ahead of Australia and South Africa, with England and Wales among the leading outsiders.

Pienaar, who admitted in his book that he used performance-enhancing drugs in South Africa but had never taken steroids, said he expected the tournament to be drugs-free.

"The testing program in rugby is one of the best in the world," he said. "In South Africa, the whole international squad was tested on one day.

"I don't think we will have any positive drug tests during the World Cup, these players are professionals and they wouldn't take the risk."

Pienaar, who is contracted to play for English club Saracens until next May, said he could return to South Africa to coach if he carries out his plan of retiring at the end of the season.

"It would be easy for me to return to South Africa," said Pienaar. "I love the country and it would definitely be easy to go back. I have had offers from Natal and other teams back home but I am not sure what I am going to do.

 

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