Former South Africa players Ruan Pienaar and Willem Alberts are ready to impress in their first appearance at the World Cup Rugby Classic, which begins today.

The 40-year-olds retired from professional rugby this year, making them eligible to make the trip to Bermuda with the South Africa Legends team.

With Morne Steyn missing this time around, Pienaar and former Springboks Sevens winger Rosko Specman are great additions for the men in green and gold, as they seek to end France and Argentina’s dominance in the tournament.

Pienaar, a utility backline player who won the 2007 World Cup with the Boks in France, was enticed to make the long trip to the island by those who have been here before.

“A few months ago I thought I had played my last rugby match but then the invitation came,’’ Pienaar said.

“I have heard a lot of good things about this tournament from older guys who've played here. I thought it would be a nice opportunity being part of a team again.

“All of us have missed playing, so it’s a nice opportunity to spend time with old team-mates again.

“It’s my first time in Bermuda and it looks like a lovely place. We’ll explore it later on to get to know all the nice spots.

“We’re just here to have a bit of fun, play rugby again and see how competitive the rest of the teams are. I haven’t done much training since I retired so hopefully the body holds up and the lungs can handle 60 minutes of rugby.

“We’ll give it our best shot and hopefully we come out without any injuries and feeling alright.”

Alberts, who played lock and flank for South Africa at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, is relishing the opportunity to play on the island.

“Obviously it would be nice to win it,” he said. “We’ll take it game by game, I think the enjoyment factor is what we're here for.

“If we enjoy, we’re going to play better as well and we might as well win. We’re not focusing on the win, but focused on enjoying ourselves, making friends and seeing new places.

“That’s what rugby has given us over the years and that’s why it’s so great for us to visit a new lovely place like Bermuda.

“From what we've been told, the level of rugby is quite tough. It’s a bit slower but quite hard, so we’re really looking forward to that.

“I played competitive rugby until I was 40 so that’s quite an achievement. For me to get an opportunity to play in a tournament like this where enjoyment is the No 1 factor, it’s very nice after a long rugby career.

“I’m really looking forward to catching up with some of the guys we’ve played against in the past.

“I heard the Argentinians and the French are quite tough in this competition. They have some guys that are still fresh, they train hard and they take it seriously which is great.”

The presence of former Boks Zane Kirchner and Jaco Kriel, as well as Chris Dry and Branco du Preez, who represented South Africa in sevens, should enhance the chances of the South African Legends winning the tournament for the sixth time.

Argentina Legends, who defeated France Classic 3-0 in last year’s Classic final, should also be strong contenders to defend their title. With Gabriel Ascarte, Bernardo Stotoni, Lucas Borges, and Gonzalo Tiesi, the Argentinians look dangerous.

Italian Classic and Lions Legends are the other teams that should prove to be tough opposition.

John Kane, the World Rugby Classic president, has singled out the South Africans and Canadians as tournament favourites. The two met in last year’s Plate final, where the South Africans triumphed 17-8.

“I have every reason to think the Canadians are coming here to win it,’’ Kane said. “I think Canada and South Africa look like the two strongest teams.

“Argentina played some nice rugby to win it last year, but I have a feeling about Canada. The Argentinians are a great bunch of guys, they do their very best to win it.”

Kane urged Bermudians to pitch up in their numbers for the five days of the Classic. “Bermudians must come out and enjoy themselves,’’ he said. “It’s a good atmosphere, there’s food and drinks, then there’s a family day on Sunday.

“Old Bermuda will be playing, they should come out and support them. Renegades and Teachers are also playing, they deserve some support.

“It’s a great opportunity to come out and see some of the former top players in the world.”