Bobby Skinstad

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Bobby Skinstad


caption = By Juiced Media (Pty) Ltd
birthname = Robert Brian Skinstad
nickname = Fobby, Bobby
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|7|3
placeofbirth = Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.93
weight = convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Openside flanker, number 8|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = ru|ZAF
ru_nationalyears = 1997-
ru_nationalcaps = 38
ru_nationalpoints = (50)
ru_ntupdate = 21 July 2007
ru_clubyears = ?
2005-2006
ru_proclubs = flagicon|Wales Newport
flagicon|EnglandRichmond F.C.
ru_clubcaps = 9
?
ru_clubpoints = (5)
(?)
ru_clubupdate = 28th April 2007
ru_currentclub =
super14 = Stormers
Cats
Sharks
super14years =1998-2000
?
2007-
super14caps =?
?
5
super14points = (?)
(?)
(5)
super14currentclub =Sharks
super14update =19 April 2007
ru_province = Western Province
Golden Lions
Natal Sharks
ru_provinceyears =1997-?
?
2007-
ru_provincecaps =?
?
0
ru_provincepoints =(?)
(?)
(?)
ru_provinceupdate =9 September 2006
ru_sevensnationalyears =?
ru_sevensnationalteam = flagicon|South Africa South Africa
ru_sevensnationalcomp = ?
ru_sevensnationalcaps = ?
ru_sevensnationalpoints = ?
ru_sevensupdate = 19 April 2007
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other = yes
occupation = Businessman
family =
spouse = Debbie
children = two
relatives =
school = Hilton College, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
university = Stellenbosch University
URL =

Robert Brian "Bobby" Skinstad (born 3 July 1976 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player who has represented the national team, the Springboks 38 times, scoring 50 points (all tries). He played in the positions of flanker and number 8|capital=yes. He stands 1.93 meters tall and weighs 104 kilograms.

He lived in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal while he attended Highbury Preparatory School, before boarding at Hilton College.

Career

His university studies took him to Stellenbosch University where he captained the 'Maties' (University) 1st side. He was selected at a young age to the Western Province (Currie Cup)and Stormers (Super Rugby)sides where he was quickly elevated to the captaincy. He also played one season for the Golden Lions (Currie Cup)and the Cats (Super Rugby) before leaving for the United Kingdom.

In 2004 Skinstad had a short stint with Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales, during which he played just 9 games. He left to ply his trade for Richmond in England's London South-East Division 1. He was also a regular player for the Barbarians and has captained them on several occasions. One of his most recent appearances for the Barbarians was against Scotland where he came off the bench in the second half. Shortly thereafter, he returned to South Africa to play in former Springbok captain Corné Krige's testimonial match against a World XV.

Skinstad then started his own sports management company called Esportif, as a joint venture with Saatchi & Saatchi based in their London headquarters. He has rounded up the Super 14, Currie Cup and NPC Tournaments on the Sky Sports programme, "The Rugby Club". He also worked as an analyst and occasional presenter for Live rugby union matches on Sky Sports.

In December 2006 Bob played alongside his friend, former Scottish international Kenny Logan in the Dubai 7's [http://www.dubairugby7s.com/index.html] for 'Stefan BHF' to raise awareness for the British Heart Foundation in memory of the late Stefan Czerpak [http://www.stefanczerpak-supportsbhf.com] , ex England colts Newbury RFC and Richmond RFC rugby coach who died in 1998 from a heart attack.

pringboks

Having represented South Africa at all levels, including captaining the under 21 Springbok side in 1996 and 1997, and playing for the SA Sevens in 1997, Skinstad made his début for the Springboks on 29 November 1997 against England. In all he played 34 games for the Springboks, his career ending on 28 June 2003 as a reserve against Argentina.

From 30 June 2001 until 15 June 2002 Skinstad captained the Springboks in 10 tests though he was not particularly successful as captain, leading his men to victory in only 5 of the 10 tests.

Although undeniably talented, his media Golden Boy image and his appearance in a string of TV advertisements fuelled the belief that he was something of a "show-pony". This was exacerbated by his tendency to position himself in try-scoring positions and wait for the ball to come to him whereas his correct role was to win possession and give it to others to score with. Consequently, his inclusion in the 1999 World Cup squad at the expense of successful captain Gary Teichmann was highly controversial, and although South Africa finished 3rd in the competition there were many who believed the Springboks would have won the World Cup for a second time running had the settled Teichmann been retained as captain for that tournament. Skinstad carried a leg injury into the competition, and made little impression.

The Comeback Kid

After months of speculation about a return to professional rugby, Skinstad returned to Super 14 rugby in 2007 playing for the Natal Sharks. He made his return coming off the bench against the Highlanders in New Zealand, and went on to make another 9 appearances, including a substitute's role in the final.

The high standard of his performances in these games was rewarded with a recall to the Springbok training camp in May 2007, and when Danie Rossouw was taken ill, Skinstad was named on the bench for the second test against England on June 2, continuing a remarkable comeback. He then was chosen as captain for the Boks' 2007 Tri Nations match at Australia on July 7, in which a Boks side widely derided as second-rate stunned a strong Wallabies side by going out to a 17-0 lead before fading to lose 25-17. [cite web|url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/default.asp?id=221179&des=article |title=B Boks Sting – Then Expire |first=Dan |last=Retief |publisher=SuperSport |date=2007-07-07 |accessdate=2007-07-21] Despite suffering a broken rib in the Australia match, [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6910156.stm |title=Skinstad makes SA World Cup squad |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-07-21 |accessdate=2007-07-21] Skinstad would see his comeback capped off on July 21 with selection to the South Africa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. [cite web|url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/default.asp?des=article&id=222817 |title=Bok World Cup Squad Announced |publisher=South African Rugby Union |date=2007-07-21 |accessdate=2007-07-21] He only played one full game in the 2007 RWC, and made further brief appearances as a substitute.

Injuries

Skinstad's career was greatly hampered by injuries. He damaged a knee in an auto accident in April 1999. He came back to play in the 1999 World Cup, but injured the same knee at the start of 2000 and did not play for the rest of that year. He missed most of the 2002 Super 12 season due to shoulder surgery, and missed the 2003 World Cup after breaking an arm.

Notes and references

External links

*Springboks|id=18423|name=Bobby Skinstad (NB: full name given at this site is incorrect)
* [http://www.genslin.us/bokke/PlayerData.aspx?PlayerID=600 SA Rugby Hall of Fame profile]
* [http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=132722 Newport Gwent Dragons Official Site]