The Rugby Club's Alex Payne talks to Bobby Skinstad about his path back to the Springboks and the 2007 World Cup.
Skinstad is relishing his return to the international fray
Having been named in the Springbok's World Cup squad on Saturday, Bob Skinstad has completed phase one of his remarkable comeback. Phase two begins in earnest as Jake White's men prepare for the start of the tournament in September, but as he gets ready,
Sky Sports caught up with their former presenter to get the low down on the last nine months
Last November Skinstad was living in London with his wife Debs and their newly born daughter. He was working for Saatchi and Saatchi and
Sky Sports and still playing a bit of social rugby.
"But I spoke with old friends back home," he says. "The likes of Butch (James) and John (Smit) had a real belief about the Sharks' chances in the Super 14 this year. They just asked 'Why don't you come back and join us?'"
It got him thinking.
"I spoke to Jake White and explained my intentions and asked his views. His response was very positive, saying that if I was back and playing well, he would consider me. It was exactly what I wanted to hear."
Buzzed
South African rugby supporters buzzed as the rumours gathered pace. Bob pressed pause on his career in London and on the December 13th, 2006 revealed to the Springbok fans he was coming home, having signed a contract with the Sharks.
It was then the hard work began. Physically he reduced his body fat from 14 per cent down to 8% whilst at the same time adding 11kg of muscle.
He says: "Everyone around me was so positive, and I felt I could make a real contribution to the Sharks. I'm an emotional character and it seemed to rub off on the guys."
After getting himself up to match fitness, Bob figured in 11 of the Sharks' 15 games. But the Super 14 final ended in heartbreak, as the Durban-based franchise lost out to the Bulls with the last play of the game.
However, his form and leadership led to a call from Jake White, he had done enough to make it back into the Springbok squad. The comeback gathered pace when he was named as Springbok skipper for the overseas leg of the Tri-Nations, though injury ruled him out of the final match.
Positive
"We may have played a B team in those (last two) games, but the whole squad has taken a huge amount from them. It has been incredibly positive for the A team who stayed in Cape Town busting a gut to get into peak physical condition, to see the effort put in by those of us on tour.
"My rib has recovered remarkably well. When the squad meets up again I'll be fine to do all the cardio work, but I may have to lay off the tackle bags for a while!"
He will be raring to go when the World Cup kicks off, and already one match looms large.
"That game with England obviously stands out. We're hitting form at the right time and England will see it as a chance to knock over one of the favourites, but then again we're won't be underestimating them."
Read Alex Payne's full interview with Bobby Skinstad in the latest issue of
Rugby Player Magazine.
