Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Pienaar played 141 times for Ulster between 2010 and 2017

Ulster legend Pienaar to join URC's Sharks

Former Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is set to feature in the new United Rugby Championship, after agreeing a short-term move to the Sharks.

Rugby • 08 Sep 21

James Hume of Ulster is tackled by Jasper Wiese

Ulster come through Cheetahs test on Pienaar's return

Out-half Bill Johnston kicked 10 points as Ulster defeated their play-off chasing Conference A rivals Cheetahs 20-10 at a chilly Kingspan Stadium.

Rugby • 22 Feb 20

O'Brien is recovering from a calf injury

Seán O'Brien in race to be fit for European opener

There was mixed news today on the injury front for Leinster ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup opener against Montpellier at the RDS.

Rugby • 10 Oct 17

Best happy with Ulster response to Pienaar exit

It wasn't quite the longest goodbye in Irish rugby but news of Ruan Pienaar's exit from Irish rugby caused a lot of consternation among Ulster fans for a spell.

Rugby • 04 Oct 17

Ruan Pienaar played his last game for Ulster on Saturday

No point moaning & groaning over Pienaar exit - Lenihan

Donal Lenihan has said Ulster's "moaning and groaning" over Ruan Pienaar's impending exit damaged their performances, and believes the IRFU made the right call over talented South African.

Rugby • 09 May 17

Ruan Pienaar said an emotional goodbye to the Ulster fans

Kiss says day of tears & farewells fuelled Ulster win

Les Kiss said Ulster used the emotion of a day of farewells to fuel their slaying of Leinster at the Kingspan Stadium.

Rugby • 07 May 17

Ruan Pienaar is departing Ulster at the end of the season

Ruan Pienaar battling to be fit for Ulster swansong

Ruan Pienaar is battling to be match fit for what is likely to be Ulster's final league outing against Leinster before he leaves the province at the end of the season.

Rugby • 03 May 17

After a six-week absence Ruan Pienaar returns to Ulster side

Pienaar returns to Ulster side for Glasgow clash

Having recovered from a knee injury, Ruan Pienaar will make his first Ulster appearance of the year for Ulster when they take on the Glasgow Warriors in the Pro12 on Saturday at the Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

Rugby • 17 Feb 17

Ruan Pienaar injured his knee against Leinster

Ruan Pienaar ruled out of Champions Cup climax

Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar will miss the province's final Champions Cup pool games after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Rugby • 05 Jan 17

Ruan Pienaar will leave Ulster next summer

Kiss backs Irish reserves to fill Pienaar void

Les Kiss believes Ulster have "plenty of Irish No 9s we can rely on" as the province adjusts to the reality that Ruan Pienaar's long-term future lies elsewhere.

Rugby • 07 Oct 16

Ruan Pienaar will have to leave Ulster at the end of his current contract

Ruan Pienaar decision a mistake, says Shane Horgan

Ending Ruan Pienaar's seven-year stay at Ulster could damage the Irish provinces' ability to recruit top global stars, according to Shane Horgan.

Rugby • 02 Sep 16

Ruan Pienaar has 88 caps for South Africa

IRFU stands over policy as Pienaar set to leave

The IRFU is standing over the succession policy that will see scrum-half Ruan Pienaar leave Ulster at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Rugby • 31 Aug 16

Ulster star Pienaar says Munster have made a quality signing in Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus

Pienaar praises Munster move for Eramus

Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar believes that Munster will reap the benefits from the appointment of Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus, highlighting the “great knowledge” of the incoming Director of Rugby.

Rugby • 04 May 16

Ulster's Ruan Pienaar is challenged by Rob Kearney which led to a penalty try and a yellow card for the Leinster full-back

Win over Leinster extra special, says Ruan Pienaar

Now in his sixth season with Ulster, Ruan Pienaar says he appreciates just how satisfying an inter-provincial win over Leinster is for the players involved.

Rugby • 03 May 16

Ruan Pienaar sat out training before being ruled out of the tour

Pienaar out of Springboks’ tour

Ulster star Ruan Pienaar will miss South Africa’s game against Ireland on Saturday and the rest of the Springboks November tour after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Rugby • 04 Nov 14

Ruan Pienaar injured his knee in the Rugby Championship game against New Zealand

Pienaar in line for return against Ireland

Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar has been included in South Africa’s squad for next month’s autumn internationals and could return from a knee injury to face Ireland.

Rugby • 27 Oct 14

Ruan Pienaar was carried off in Saturday's game

Boks confirm Pienaar ligament damage

South Africa have said that Ulster's Ruan Pienaar injured a ligament in his knee during Saturday's Rugby Championship game against New Zealand.

Rugby • 15 Sep 14

Ruan Pienaar could miss Ulster's clash with Leicester - he scored all of Ulster's points when they beat the Tigers last season

Pienaar major injury concern for Ulster

Ulster face an anxious wait on the fitness of scrum-half Ruan Pienaar after he was forced off during South Africa’s Rugby Championship loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

Rugby • 13 Sep 14

High cost loss - Ulster will be without Ruan Pienaar and Rory Best for the next few games

Pienaar, Best, Tuohy and Wilson out for Ulster

Ulster have been left with a considerable casualty count following their Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Saracens on Saturday.

Rugby • 08 Apr 14

Ruan Pienaar has scored 510 points in 63 games for Ulster

Pienaar signs contract extension with Ulster

Ulster have received a significant boost with the news that scrum-half Ruan Pienaar has signed a three-year deal with the province.

Rugby • 09 Oct 13

Ruan Pienaar was away on international duty with South Africa

Pienaar back in Ulster squad for Heineken Cup

South Africa international Ruan Pienaar has returned to the Ulster rugby squad ahead of their Heineken Cup opener against Castres Olympique at Ravenhill on Friday.

Rugby • 09 Oct 12

Leinster full-back Isa Nacewa was one of two Leinster players named in the side

Five provincial players in Rabo Pro12 Dream Team

Irish provinces have supplied five of the 15 players selected in the RaboDirect Pro12 Dream Team, which saw Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip miss out for the first time.

Rugby • 03 May 12

Ruan Pienaar