Rugby World Cup Captain; CEO First National Bank; Founder MAD Charity; Portrayed by Matt Damon in the Film "Invictus"

South Africa
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Francois Pienaar Biography

The film "Invictus" based on the book, "Invictus: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation," by John Carlin, centers on Nelson Mandela’s pursuit to unite racially divided South Africa with the Rugby World Cup, enlisting François Pienaar to spearhead the effort. In the movie, Morgan Freeman stars as President Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as François, both earning Academy Award nominations for their roles. Clint Eastwood directed.

François Pienaar, with twenty-nine international caps to his name, reached the pinnacle of rugby union: he captained his country, South Africa, to World Cup victory in 1995 on home turf and was presented the Webb Ellis Trophy by Nelson Mandela. In 1993, he was appointed captain on his international debut, against France. Pienaar is considered one of the most celebrated figures in South Africa, having been named the country’s “Newsmaker of the Year.” His leadership transcended the boundaries of sports, playing a significant role in unifying the nation.

After retiring from professional rugby, Pienaar became player-coach of the north London club Saracens. Eventually, he took over as CEO until he stepped down, allowing for new leadership amid challenging times for the club. His post-rugby career also included roles as CEO and later as Provincial Chairman of First National Bank in the Western Cape until 2009. Following this, he founded Advent Sport Entertainment and Media (Pty) Ltd and pursued various endeavors including the marketing campaign for the Indian Premier League in South Africa.

Besides his professional pursuits, Pienaar is deeply committed to philanthropy. He founded the Make A Difference (MAD) charitable organization, which focuses on education and development for underprivileged youth. He has also been involved in charity work with organizations such as Sargent Cancer Care for Children, CHOC, and the Reach for a Dream Foundation. In recognition of his contributions, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire in 2000.

Today, Pienaar continues to be a renowned figure in public speaking, especially on topics like leadership, motivation, and teamwork, reflecting his journey and experiences on and off the field. He authored the autobiography "Rainbow Warrior" in 1999, sharing insights into his life and the transformative power of sports. François Pienaar currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa, with his family. He remains an emblematic figure in not only rugby but also in representing the potential for sports to influence societal change.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/16/2025.

Francois Pienaar Speaking Topics

  • Uniting a People and a Country: Nelson Mandela & François Pienaar

  • Invictus: The Unconquerable Spirit that Makes Dreams Reality

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Francois Pienaar Videos

Francois Pienaar on Ireland and South Africa's World Cup chances

Francois Pienaar on Ireland and South Africa's World Cup chances

Francois Pienaar shares his thoughts on Ireland and South Africa's chances at the Rugby World Cup. Watch the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup ...

World Cup winner Francois Pienaar opens up on FAMOUS Nelson moment

World Cup winner Francois Pienaar opens up on FAMOUS Nelson moment

'How lucky am I?!' South African World Cup winning rugby captain Francois Pienaar opens up his famous moment with Nelson Mandela.

Francois Pienaar on the impact Nelson Mandela had

Francois Pienaar on the impact Nelson Mandela had

Francois Pienaar speaks to John Smit about the 1995 Rugby World Cup

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  • What topics does Francois Pienaar speak about?

    Francois Pienaar is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Human Resources, Inspirational, Leadership, Motivational, Personal Growth, Teamwork & Teambuilding
  • Where does Francois Pienaar travel from?

    Francois Pienaar generally travels from South Africa, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Francois Pienaar is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Uniting a People and a Country: Nelson Mandela & François Pienaar, Invictus: The Unconquerable Spirit that Makes Dreams Reality and The Courage to Lead. The estimated speaking fee range to book Francois Pienaar for your event is available upon request. Francois Pienaar generally travels from South Africa and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kevin Stark, Frederick Afrifa, Jackie Edwards, Elizabeth Beisel and Ricky Price. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Francois Pienaar for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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