Rafa – This will be Stevie’s year

‘Schillo’ got his first taste of pre-season action yesterday, playing 45 minutes of the 3-0 Vodacom Challenge Final win against Orlando Pirates.

Pienaar’s first season at White Hart Lane was disrupted by injury, but Van der Vaart, who scored twice at Coca-Cola Park, says his fit-again former Ajax Amsterdam teammate is destined for great things in 2011/12.

“Steven is a great player and a great personality. I played with him a few years ago at Ajax. I know he’s from South Africa, but sometimes I feel he’s Dutch!

“We can all see his quality and I’m sure in his second year at Spurs he will play a lot of games and be very, very important to us.”

Pienaar himself was delighted to get back on the field, though he admits he still has a long way to go.

“Happy to get my first pre season minutes under my belt. Fitness levels still have a way to go but good to get the feel of the ball again,” he said on his Twitter feed.

Pienaar also had praise for the two Soweto giants, adding: “Impressed with the way chiefs and pirates played this week. Good advert for SA Football.”

Ryan Cooper Follow me on Twitter @KickOffCooper