The report recalls Pienaar featuring for South Africa against Mexico at Soccer City, with the hosts carrying the expectations of an entire continent. Siphiwe Tshabalala put South Africa ahead before Rafael Márquez restored parity, leaving the teams locked at 1-1.
Pienaar’s presence gave the occasion an added personal dimension. He was not merely representing the host nation; he was doing so in his hometown, amid the noise and colour that defined that tournament.
“É também o barulho das pessoas, a empolgação das outras pessoas quando cantam e dançam. É emocionante. O jogo significa muito para elas e, para nós, jogar pelo país. É uma sensação especial”, Pienaar added.
The opening draw offered hope, but South Africa’s group campaign soon became a story of missed opportunity. The report says the hosts then suffered a 3-0 defeat against Uruguay before beating France 2-1 in the final group fixture.
That victory was not enough. South Africa exited on goal difference behind Mexico, becoming the first World Cup host to fall in the group stage - a distinction later matched by Qatar in 2022.
Pienaar’s football story continued in England, where his connection with Everton became one of the defining relationships of his club career. The report recalls four separate spells at Goodison Park, highlighting the trust placed in him by manager David Moyes.
For Everton supporters, Pienaar remains associated with intelligence, energy and a close bond with the stands. For South Africa, he represents something larger: a player who carried a nation’s hopes during its most historic football festival.
Future retrospectives of the 2010 tournament will continue to return to that opening night - and to Pienaar’s unique place at its heart.