Francois Pienaar
About
Francois Pienaar
South African Former Rugby Player and Inspirational Leader
Francois Pienaar is a distinguished athlete, trained lawyer, and an influential ambassador for multi-racial sports and civil rights. He achieved the pinnacle of rugby union by captaining the South African national team to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. His remarkable journey was immortalized in Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster film Invictus.
In Detail
Following his historic World Cup win, Francois dedicated himself to charitable efforts, founding the Make a Difference (MAD) charitable organization upon his return to South Africa. He initially joined the First Rand Group as the head of sponsorships and strategic business development. After a stint at First Rand Bank, he pursued his passion for sport, media, and entertainment by establishing Advent Sport Entertainment and Media Pty Ltd in 2009. He also served as the Provincial Chairman of First National Bank in the Western Cape until 2009. Notably, in 2005, he was seconded by First National Bank to serve as CEO for South Africa’s successful bid for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
What He Offers You
Francois Pienaar shares his incredible journey of leadership, perseverance, and the remarkable human spirit. As an inspirational leader, he is one of the few individuals who can genuinely claim to have united South Africa behind a common cause.
Topics
- Teamwork: Achieving Success at the Highest Level
- Motivation: How to Get the Best from the Best
- The Courage to Lead
- The Business of Rugby
- Invictus: My Reaction
- From Journalism to Politics
- South Africa’s Passage from Isolation to Acclamation on the World Rugby Stage
Languages
Francois presents in Afrikaans and English.
How He Presents
With his charisma, leadership, and strength of character, Francois Pienaar is in high demand as a speaker. His passion for rugby and his inspiring stories resonate with audiences around the world, making him a sought-after figure for motivational talks and presentations.