FRANCOIS Pienaar took York people behind the scenes of South Africa’s rugby union World Cup win when he appeared at a prestigious city fundraising lunch.

The legendary Springbok skipper, who led his country to a 15-12 conquest of New Zealand in the 1995 final, was the guest of honour at the annual York Sportsman’s Lunch.

The lunch, previous speakers for which have been England team manager Martin Johnson and New Zealand rugby union legend Sean Fitzpatrick, once again raised huge sums for charitable causes – including more than £40,000 from the on-the-day auction alone.

Among the beneficiaries is York RUFC rugby player Ben Johnson, who has been asked to tour New Zealand with the Yorkshire Terriers invitation side next year.

Johnson, who has been at Clifton Park since he was six and has represented Yorkshire at Under-16 and U18 level, will get a contribution towards his touring costs.

Leeds Carnegie’s Rob Rawlinson, Bryan Davies and the Sports Development Foundation, a new charity that will help provide greater sports involvement for young people across the north of England, will also benefit.

Pienaar, who was making his first visit to the Minster city, told the audience how meeting Nelson Mandela gave his team “an edge” in the competition.

“(In the dressing-room before the final) There was a knock on the door and it opened and in walked Nelson Mandela,” he said.

“We didn’t know he was going to be in the changing-room. He had a Springbok on his heart.

“He walked in and looked around and he just said ‘good luck’.

“It almost felt like cheating. It felt like we had an edge – an unfair advantage. When he turned around there was a number six on his back (Pienaar’s number). There was a major lump in my throat.”

Mark Pepper, of Sporting Connexions, which organises the lunch, said Pienaar was “not just a rugby player”.

“He is a statesman,” he said. “The catalyst to meeting him was the book Playing The Enemy which reveals how the rugby world cup helped to stave off civil war in South Africa.

“We were very honoured to have him.

“I am also very honoured that people have supported this event, and the beneficiaries, in the way they have. People really seem to have latched on to the lunch.”

Next up for Sporting Connexions is the Lions Lunch at York Racecourse on March 19.

British and Irish Lions legends Scott Gibbs, Doddie Weir, Fran Cotton and Keith Wood are lined up to appear and talk ahead of the upcoming South Africa tour.

For more details, log on to www.sportingconnexions.com