ULSTER hope that Ruan Pienaar will one day return to the club after the province was unable to strike a deal with the IRFU to extend the South African’s contract.
The shock announcement yesterday morning that Pienaar would be forced to leave the Kingspan at the end of this season owes to the governing body’s succession policy, which restricts non-Irish qualified players to one per field position across the provinces, excluding Connacht.
It exists in the hope that there will be a minimum of two Irish-qualified players per position playing for the three traditional major provinces.
Both club and player were keen to extend Pienaar’s stay at the Kingspan. The gifted scrum-half signed from the Sharks in 2010 and has gone on to play 118 games for Ulster, scoring 777 points and becoming a huge fans’ favourite.
Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss, who spent six months negotiating with the IRFU to try and find an arrangement that would allow Pienaar to stay, says he will be a huge loss.
"Ruan has been an outstanding servant to Ulster Rugby over the past six years and he will be a huge loss for us next season,” he said.
“For me, he is a fantastic player, but he is an even better person, who is much-loved by his team-mates, the staff and management, and the wider rugby community here in Ulster.
"His influence within the squad, both on and off the field, is truly remarkable; whether that is through match-winning contributions, or mentoring the promising players coming through our pathway.
“Indeed, he has played a big part in helping us to develop a large group of talented young backline players who have gone on to represent Ireland in recent years.
"He is a consummate professional and I have absolutely no doubt that he will give everything to the Ulster cause for the rest of the season.
“Our hope is that he will one day return to the Province to continue to have a positive impact on rugby in Ulster."
The frustrations of the club and Pienaar himself at the failure to reach an agreement with the IRFU was evident from their words.
"I am not moving on for a new adventure or for financial reasons - I wanted to stay and I know that Ulster Rugby did everything it could to keep me in Belfast,” said the Springbok star.
“Ulster is special to me and my family now, and I would like to thank my wife, Monique, for coming here to support me and for helping to make it home for us.
"I would also like to thank all of the players and staff at Ulster Rugby, the supporters and the general public, for their support and encouragement since our arrival.
“It has been brilliant to see the progress that the organisation has made in recent years, particularly with the new facilities here at Kingspan Stadium.
“The club has given me a lot and I'd like to be in a position to give something back in the future if possible.
"I have many great memories of my time here and I have made some brilliant friends within rugby and outside of it.
“It is sad that this will be my last season as an Ulster player but I will be doing everything to ensure that we make it a successful campaign."
Ulster Rugby's Chief Executive Shane Logan added that the “door is open for a return in the future” for the 32-year-old, who is likely to be in the sights of several English Premiership clubs.
