The two-time Rugby World Cup winner, Frans Steyn, has lauded the contribution Ruan Pienaar made to not only Free State rugby, but to South African rugby as well.

Pienaar will hang up his boots on Friday night after what is sure to be an emotional match when they face the Griquas in the SA Cup.

Steyn retired from the game last year due to ongoing injuries and over the year he as Pienaar followed very much the same path and the ended up playing together at the Springboks, Sharks, Montpellier, and the Cheetahs.

In 2007, the pair were a part of the Springbok team that won the Rugby World Cup in France, and Pienaar will become the last member of that victorious squad to hang up his boots.

Over the years they also formed a very tight bond and it is safe to say that they are best friends.

At the age of 40, Pienaar will run out for one last time before shifting his focus to coaching full time as of next week.

Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn in action for the Springboks against the British & Irish Lions in 2009 - Getty

Steyn, who is now the Director of Rugby at the Cheetahs, told OFM Sport that Pienaar is one of the very best the world has ever seen and he will be one of the first names in his World XV team.

“He has been there since the start and it was just during my first tour with the Springboks that he wasn’t my roommate, but we were roommates since then,” said Steyn.

“It’s actually going to be a sad day on Friday. South Africa produced big rugby players over the years and I don't think that Ruan always got all the credit that he deserved.

“According to me, if I have to choose a World XV team, his name will be one of the first that I write down.”

A few weeks ago Pienaar stepped into coaching with the Free State U21 team and as of Monday this will become his full time job.

Friday night’s match between the Cheetahs and the Griquas at Shimla Park kicks off at 18:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport