Pienaar shows interest in Bok job
January 25, 2002

Francois Pienaar has put his hand up to coach South Africa after the resignation of Springboks coach Harry Viljoen.

However Pienaar, who captained the Springboks to victory in the 1995 World Cup, is not expecting to receive a call from the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU).

Viljoen resigned as coach of the Springboks at the weekend but Pienaar has played down his own chances of taking over.

"There's been a lot of talk about the job, but I've not been contacted whatsoever," said Pienaar, currently the chief executive of English club Saracens.

"I've always said if anybody gets a national coach's job and refuses it, it would be daft because it is a big honour.

"Ask anybody, like people here in England, if they would like to coach England one day they would say yes and the same applies in South Africa and for me," Pienaar added.

"I don't think it'll ever happen. At this moment in time I've heard nothing from them."

He also expressed sympathy for Viljoen, who guided South Africa to just five victories in 12 internationals last year.

"Obviously he came under a lot of pressure because it is all about
winning," Pienaar said.

"I appreciate the fact that he resigned because his family felt the
pressure with him.

"But you know when you take the job that that's going to happen. It's the
same in any sport in any country that's passionate about their team winning."

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