South African rugby legend Francois Pienaar has tipped Ireland to win the Rugby World Cup by beating his own country in the final.
Speaking exclusively to the Irish Mirror, he said: “Listen, you get to the World Cup final, you can win it, absolutely you can win it.”
The 1995 winning captain also told the Mirror that we should have a united Ireland in other sports, like soccer, because it helps bring people and cultures together.
Mr Pienaar has become a famous motivational speaker and leadership coach since leaving the field of rugby and he was in Belfast this week for the One Young World conference.
He spoke to the Irish Mirror about life on and off the pitch, how the youth of Northern Ireland are building a brilliant future for the region and how his native South Africa has advanced after the end of years of terrible apartheid.
But the sporting legend, who was the subject of the famous film Invictus, starring Matt Damon, also gave us his predictions of how the Rugby World Cup will pan out.
He said: “The Irish people are magnificent.
“What a nice culture, atmosphere and that’s why rugby is so special.
“You can sit next to people, cheer for different teams and afterwards go for a pint together, it’s very special.
“I think you will beat Scotland on Saturday, 15 games in a row, great culture in the team, the spine is really strong.
“And when I talk about the spine I’m talking ab out the guys who touch the ball more than other players, really gelling nicely.
“There’s a steel, a real focus in the team that I like, so I think you will beat Scotland and then face
When the Mirror told Mr Pienaar that Ireland had edged into the favourites’ slot ahead of South Africa with the bookies, he joked: “bookmakers, you can’t trust them.”
Mr Pienaar continued: “Before the World Cup, I called a South Africa final.
“There were two permutations, South Africa and Ireland or South Africa and France, but I had South Africa vs Ireland, of course.
“So that can happen.
“World Cup finals are 50-50.”
The Mirror then asked if Ireland has a chance in that scenario.
The rugby living legend said: “Of course, very much a chance.
“Listen, you get to the World Cup final, you can win it, absolutely you can win it.”
Mr Pienaar added: “You’ve won 15 in a row, you’ve beaten the best teams, you’re going to have some special support.”
Ireland are now outright favourites, just ahead of South Africa, to win the Webb Ellis trophy.
However, the national team lines out against France first on Saturday, with a win there guaranteeing their progression to the knockout phases, where they will likely play the New Zealand All Blacks next.
