Bobby Skinstad
Encyclopedia
Robert Brian Skinstad (born 3 July 1976 in Bulawayo
, Rhodesia
) is a Zimbabwean-born South Africa
n 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).
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.
. 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.
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 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, ex England colts Newbury RFC and Richmond RFC rugby coach who died in 1998 from a heart attack.
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
.
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 2 June, continuing a remarkable comeback. He then was chosen as captain for the Boks' 2007 Tri Nations
match at Australia
on 7 July, 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.
Despite suffering a broken rib in the Australia match, Skinstad would see his comeback capped off on 21 July with selection to the South Africa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. 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.
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
, Rhodesia
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
) is a Zimbabwean-born South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who has represented the national team, the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
, 42 times, scoring 55 points (11 tries). He played in the positions of flanker
Flanker (rugby union)
A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...
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-NatalKloof, KwaZulu-Natal
Kloof is a leafy, middle- to upper class suburb and small town, that includes a smaller area called Everton, in the greater Durban area of eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa....
while he attended Highbury Preparatory School
Highbury Preparatory School
Highbury Preparatory School is a private school for boys located in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.-History:Highbury was founded in 1903 by Sibella Douglas McMillan. It was named after Highbury House School in England, which was established by Sibella McMillan's father, the Rev Charles...
, before boarding at Hilton College. His university studies took him to Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
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
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
and Super 12, and went on to captain both sides.
He then moved to Johannesburg and played the 2003 season for the Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
(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 EnglandEngland national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
. 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
Gary Teichmann
Gary Hamilton Teichmann is a retired Rhodesian/Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player. He played number eight and was the captain of the South African national team, the Springboks, between 1995 and 1999...
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 DragonsNewport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
in Wales, for whom he played just 9 games. He then worked with a group, including businessmen Johann Rupert
Johann Rupert
Johann Peter Rupert is the eldest son of the late South African business tycoon Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte Rupert. He is the chairman of the Swiss-based luxury-goods company Richemont as well as of the South Africa-based company Remgro...
and Wayne Huizenga
Wayne Huizenga
Harry Wayne Huizenga is an American businessman who grew Blockbuster Video, Waste Management, Inc., and AutoNation into successful companies. He is the former owner of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers and the Major League Baseball's Miami...
trying to take over an English club in London and played part-time for Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
in England's London South-East Division 1. He was also a regular player for the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
and has captained them on several occasions.
In December 2006 Bob played alongside his friend, former Scottish international Kenny Logan
Kenny Logan
Kenny Logan is a rugby union footballer who played wing for London Scottish.- Career :As a schoolboy, Logan had football trials as a goalkeeper for Dundee United and Hearts. He left school at 16 and began his rugby career with Stirling County, making his senior debut at 17.In 1996, he joined Wasps...
in the Dubai 7's for 'Stefan BHF' to raise awareness for the British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a charity organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart diseases in humans.-Foundation:...
in memory of the late Stefan Czerpak, ex England colts Newbury RFC and Richmond RFC rugby coach who died in 1998 from a heart attack.
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
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
.
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 HighlandersHighlanders (Super rugby franchise)
The Highlanders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The franchise represents the North Otago, Otago and Southland provincial Rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago, North...
in New Zealand, and went on to make another 9 appearances, including a substitute's role in the final
2007 Super 14 Final
The Final of the 2007 Super 14 season, a provincial rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on 19 May 2007 at ABSA Stadium in Durban, South Africa. The match was won by the Bulls 20 points to 19 over their hosts the Sharks...
.
He was rewarded with a recall to the Springbok training camp in May 2007, and when Danie Rossouw
Danie Rossouw
Danie Rossouw is a South African rugby union footballer who plays as a second row forward. He plays for the Bulls in the international Super 14 competition. Rossouw made his provincinal debut during 1999 for the Blue Bulls in a match against the North Western Province in the Currie Cup competition...
was taken ill, Skinstad was named on the bench for the second test against England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
on 2 June, continuing a remarkable comeback. He then was chosen as captain for the Boks' 2007 Tri Nations
2007 Tri Nations Series
The 2007 Tri Nations Series was an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The series began in South Africa on 16 June, with a Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands, Cape Town and ended on 21 July in Eden Park, Auckland...
match at Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
on 7 July, when coach Jake White
Jake White
Jake White is a rugby union coach and former coach of the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks. His most notable achievements as coach include leading the Springboks to victory in 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2004 Tri Nations title...
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.
Despite suffering a broken rib in the Australia match, Skinstad would see his comeback capped off on 21 July with selection to the South Africa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. 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.