World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar was spotted drinking wine as he attended Saracens clash with Sale Sharks in the Premiership today.
The Springbok legend was part of a consortium that completed the £32m takeover of the men in black in February.
Drinking a likely expensive red, eagle-eyed viewers were quick to comment on social media.
One fan wrote: “Francois Pienaar caught on camera taking a slug of red wine during Saracens v Sale on BT Sport. Or should I say, Francois Pinot-Noir.”
“Francois Pienaar sipping on a glass of red in the stands watching Saracens vs Sale,” said a second.
Rugby scribe Joe Harvey also commented, saying: “Francois Pienaar-Grigio am I right?”
Francois Pienaar facts:
- He played flanker for South Africa (the Springboks) from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps, all of them as captain
- Pienaar played flanker for South Africa (the Springboks) from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps, all of them as captain
- The 2009 film Invictus, based on the book, was directed by Clint Eastwood, and starred Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Pienaar
- In 2005 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame
- Pienaar captained the Barbarians in his only appearance for the club against Leicester at Twickenham in 1999
The XV That Was Voted The Greatest Rugby Team Ever By Fans
Some huge names were omitted from the side, such was the competition for places as only 15 could make the cut. Here are the players voted for by rugby fans as the all-time rugby dream team.
RUGBY DREAM TEAM:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Serge Blanco (France)– France legend Serge Blanco could play on the wing, however, he was best known for his brilliance at fullback
- 14. Bryan Habana (South Africa) – The speed machine is regarded as one of the quickest players to ever play the game and helped his country to World Cup glory in 2007. He ended up on 15 World Cup tries, level with the New Zealand star.
- 11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – The joint-top try-scorer in World Cup history,he was always going to be in. The wing, who tragically passed away in 2015, is rightly remembered as a true All Black and World Cup great.
CENTRES:
- 13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – He is regarded as one of the greatest outside centres of all time. O’Driscoll captained his country for nine years and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame back in 2016.
- 12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand) – He was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning side
