Former World Cup-winning Springbok captain Francois Pienaar was on Friday revealed as the chief executive of South Africa’s 2011 Rugby World Cup Bid Committee.
Pienaar (37) will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Soccer Bid chief Danny Jordaan, who successfully bid to bring the Soccer World Cup to SA in 2010, and bring the rugby showpiece to these shores for the second time, a year after the football showpiece.
The bid company also appointed Mthobi Tyamzashe as the non-executive chairperson of the company.
Tyamzashe is the group executive in the corporate affairs department of Vodacom Group and a former director general in the department of sport. He is also the chief executive officer of Boxing SA.
Making the announcement, South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Brian van Rooyen said that Pienaar would be responsible for sponsorships and would be required to present the bid company with a comprehensive plan.
”It is fantastic to have people of the calibre of Mthobi and Francois on the bid company,” said Van Rooyen. ”They are well known and respected in sporting and business circles locally and abroad.
With their input and expertise we are confident that they will provide the leadership necessary to formulate a strong and successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup.”
Pienaar led the Springboks to the World Cup title on home soil in 1995 and then left to play for the Saracens Rugby Club in England after being unceremoniously dumped by erstwhile Bok coach Andre Maarkgraaff. He has now returned and has been seconded from FNB where he is responsible for sponsorships and strategic business development.
The bid company directors are Van Rooyen (president, Sarfu), Keith Parkinson (deputy-president, Sarfu), Mike Stofile (vice-president) and Dr Theunie Lategan (chairperson of the SA Rugby board).
According to Pienaar, further appointments to the bid company will be made from sponsors and other role players who possess the necessary skills required to drive the 2011 Bid.
The comprehensive plan to be presented by Pienaar will include the financial requirements, sponsors and professional advisors. This will take place at the first meeting of the board, which is expected to take place no later than the end of July.
”I’m delighted to be involved and thrilled at the opportunity. It will be difficult because we have just secured the biggest one of all — the Soccer World Cup, ” said a relaxed Pienaar on Friday.
”Government support is vital. I’m just a dumb Dutchman and a forward so we need to get more expertise on board,” said a relaxed Pienaar on Friday.
”Also we can just piggyback on the infrastructure of the Soccer World Cup. To have it soon after, we can create such a great hype.” – Sapa