Joe Pietersen enjoyed two successful stints in Cape Town with the DHL Stormers during his career.

Pietersen stands out as a player defined by versatility, courage and total dedication to the cause.

Between his Western Province debut in 2004 and 2010 – and a subsequent return to Cape Town in 2012 for two seasons – Pietersen became a household name at Newlands.

Easily recognisable by his mop of flash blonde hair, Pietersen was a utility back with an unflinchingly accurate boot, equally adept at flyhalf, fullback and wing.

He shared the changeroom with legends such as Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Duane Vermeulen and Andries Bekker, yet earned his own unique place in the franchise’s history.

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Pietersen’s time with the Stormers wasn’t just about playing multiple positions. During the team’s revival under Rassie Erasmus between 2008 and 2011, the backline dynamo contributed to the development of a style built on the pillars of efficient defence and lethal counter-attacking, and played a crucial part in the Capetonians’ journey to the 2010 Super Rugby Final.

Despite his season being cut short by a hip injury, Pietersen scored 86 points in 2010 as the Stormers went on to sweep the five New Zealand teams, including a 33-0 victory over the Highlanders.

During his two stints in Cape Town, interrupted only by a season in France with Biarritz, Pietersen made a combined 115 appearances in Super Rugby (50) and the Currie Cup (65).

For more, see thestormers.com

Photo: Luke Walker/Gallo Images

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