Pienaar released early to join Ulster

Ruan Pienaar will officially become an Ulster player on 1 September, after the Natal Sharks agreed to an early release, Ulster Rugby confirmed.

The 26-year-old, who has 34 caps for the Springboks, will link up with fellow South African Johaan Muller at the northern province.

“The decision was made easier knowing Johann and his family are there and I’ve been speaking with him and getting up to speed,” Pienaar said.

“I’m very excited about the change – I have been thinking about going to the northern hemisphere for a couple of seasons now and when the opportunity to join Ulster came up I was very interested.”

“I know that the club has big plans to build the team up and win trophies and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

Pienaar, who has signed a two year contract, can play at either scrum-half or out-half, and his signing represents a major coup for the 1999 Heineken Cup winning team.

“We’re delighted to have concluded the contract negotiations around Ruan’s move to Ulster,” Ulster Rugby Operations Director David Humphreys said.

“I would like to thank the Natal Sharks for their help in the matter and for agreeing to Ruan’s early release from his Sharks contract.

“We look forward to welcoming Ruan to Belfast in September, he is without doubt one of the biggest signings made in Ulster Rugby’s history and I’m confident that he will be a key asset to us both on and off the pitch.”