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Bobby Skinstad
Personal information
Full name	Robert Brian Skinstad
Date of birth	July 3, 1976 (1976-07-03) (age 33)
Place of birth	Bulawayo, Rhodesia
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	105 kg (16 st 7 lb)
School	Hilton College, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
University	Stellenbosch University
Occupation(s)	Businessman
Height and weight correct as of .
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Openside flanker, Number eight
Clubs		Caps	(points)
? 2005-2006	Newport Richmond F.C.	9 ?	(5) (?)
correct as of 28th April 2007.
Provincial/State sides
1997-? ? 2007-	Western Province Golden Lions Natal Sharks	? ? 0	(?) (?) (?)
correct as of 9 September 2006.
Super Rugby
1998-2000 ? 2007-	Stormers Cats Sharks	? ? 5	(?) (?) (5)
correct as of 19 April 2007.
National team(s)
1997-2007	South Africa	42	(55)
correct as of 21 July 2007.
7's National teams		Tournaments
?	South Africa	?
correct as of 19 April 2007.

Robert Brian (Bobby or Bob) Skinstad (born 3 July 1976 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia) is a Rhodesian-born South African rugby union player who has represented the national team, the Springboks, 42 times, scoring 55 points (11 tries). He played in the positions of flanker and Number eight. He stands 1.93 meters (6 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 104 kilograms (229 lbs).

Career

He lived in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal while he attended Highbury Preparatory School, before boarding at Hilton College. His university studies took him to Stellenbosch University where he lived in the Simonsberg mens residence and captained the 'Maties' (University) 1st side.

He was selected by Western Province for the Currie Cup and Super 12, and went on to captain both sides.

He then moved to Johannesburg and played the 2003 season for the Golden Lions (Currie Cup) and the Cats (Super 12) before leaving for the United Kingdom.

Springboks

Having represented South Africa at all levels, including captaining the under 21 Springbok side in 1996 and 1997, and playing for the SA Sevens team in 1997, Skinstad made his début for the Springboks as a replacement on 29 November 1997 against England. In all he played 42 tests for the Springboks, scoring 11 tries.

His inclusion in the 1999 World Cup squad at the expense of successful captain Gary Teichmann was highly controversial in South Africa, and although South Africa finished 3rd in the competition there were many who believed that Teichmann should have been retained as captain for that tournament. Skinstad carried a leg injury into the competition, and made little impression.

Skinstad captained the Springboks in 12 games.

Semi-retirement in Britain

In January 2004 Skinstad terminated his contract with SA Rugby and signed with Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales, for whom he played just 9 games. He then worked with a group, including businessmen Johann Rupert and Wayne Huizenga trying to take over an English club in London^[1] and played part-time 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.

In December 2006 Bob played alongside his friend, former Scottish international Kenny Logan in the Dubai 7's for 'Stefan BHF' to raise awareness for the British Heart Foundation in memory of the late Stefan Czerpak ^[2], ex England colts Newbury RFC and Richmond RFC rugby coach who died in 1998 from a heart attack.

Dubai 7's 2006 - Stefan Czerpak BHF Team. Skinstad is in the back row, 2nd from the left

Skinstad started his own sports management company, Esportif, as a joint venture with Saatchi & Saatchi based in their London headquarters. He has worked as an analyst and occasional presenter covering the Super 14, Currie Cup and NPC Tournaments for Sky Sports.

Return to South Africa

After months of speculation about a return to professional rugby, Skinstad returned to Super 14 rugby in 2007 playing for the 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.

He 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, when coach Jake White rested several senior players in preparation for the World Cup. An experienced Boks side took a surprising 17-0 lead before fading to lose 25-17.^[3]

Despite suffering a broken rib in the Australia match,^[4] Skinstad would see his comeback capped off on July 21 with selection to the South Africa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.^[5] He only played one full game in South Africa's winning campaign, and made further brief appearances as a substitute.

He retired from professional rugby on 6 November 2007.

Notes and references

External links

• Bobby Skinstad at SARugby.co.za (NB: full name given at this site is incorrect)
• SA Rugby Hall of Fame profile
• Newport Gwent Dragons Official Site