Skinstad Retires

From correspondents in Johannesburg, South Africa
November 07, 2007

http://ww2.sport24.com/photos/1185039568.jpg
FORMER South Africa rugby captain Bob Skinstad has announced his retirement, ending a short-lived comeback which saw him land a World Cup winners' medal with the Springboks last month.

Skinstad, who played a total of 42 Tests for the Boks in his two spells and captained the team on 12 occasions, said he had turned down offers to continue playing and wanted to bow out at the top.

"There were opportunities to continue in 2008, both in Europe and in South Africa, but I know that the time is right to say goodbye as a player," he told The Star newspaper.

"When I met (outgoing Springbok coach) Jake White in London around this time a year ago and we spoke about the possibility of me returning to challenge for a World Cup place I dreamed of it ending with a World Cup triumph but at the time it was just a dream.

"Today I leave the game on my own terms and with the most wonderful memory of experiencing the thrill of winning the World Cup campaign."

The Zimbabwe-born flanker was once regarded as the golden boy of South African rugby after bursting onto the international scene in 1998 but he suffered a number of serious injuries.

He took a break from the sport in 2003 and worked for advertising giants Saatchi and Saatchi in London while turning out for lower league side Richmond before announcing his comeback in February of this year.

Although he captained the team in the first-round match against Tonga, the 31-year-old was not a regular in the starting line-up during the recent tournament and failed to make the bench for the final against England.

Agence France-Presse

To abbreviate the great Kenny Rogers, "Hold 'em, fold 'em, walk away, run"!
Well done Bobby on choosing the dignified way out of walking away on top.
Challenge for you zimeric, Zimbabwe All Time XV including those who never played for Zim ;)

no challenge mate. :D

1. T."Beast" Mtawarira (Sharks)
2 P. Hoffman (Sharks, Mpumalanga, SA schools) - was my childhood mate
3 A.Garvey(Zimbabwe, Sharks & Springboks)
4 B.Chivandire (Zimbabwe)
5 M Passaportis (Western Province U19, U21 & Leicester Tigers academy)
6 D. Pocock ( Aus A, Aus U18/19 & Western Force )
7 B. Skinstad (WP, SA 7s, Sharks & Boks)
8 G.Teichmann (Sharks & Boks)
9 G.Gregan (Brumbies & Wallabies) -yes theres a zimbabwe connection, his mother was zimbabwean but moved to zambia
10 K.Tsimba (Zimbabwe, Cheetahs, Bulls)
11. R. Mordt (Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, Transvaal & Boks)
12 G.Ziegler (Western Force Academy/ rookie contract)
13 D Maidza (Zimbabwe, Zim 7s & Border)
14 T.Chavhanga (Cheetahs, WP & Boks)
15 V.Olonga (Zimbabwe, Zim 7s)

16(centre): J.Ewing (Zim XV and zim Sevens player/coach)
17(wing): Z. Ngwenya - (USA 7's and USA XV) -remember that try!!
18(Prop): B. Mujati (Lions, Stormers 08)
19(scrumhalf): Jaques Leitao (Zim Sevens capt.)
20(flanker) Fortune Chipendu (Zim sevens)
21(wing/fullback) Karl Mudzamba (Zimbabwe, Hawkes Bay NPC)

Edit. Forgot about 22.(lock) Leon Greef (Worsteshire Warriors)

Good lineup Zim, didn't know about Teichmann..can I claim one from your list? Victor Olonga as Kenyan (through his father even though he stated rather publically that he was Zimbo through and through).

Settle down you two, you're sounding like the Irish and Italian rugby unions now!

haha Quin you can have him... i oince watched a game zim vs Russia and it was Olonga vs the try line and he tried to be a showoff,did a campo goosestep.... and dropped the ball.. what a plonker!!

Didn't happen to already have that written down somewhere Zim :D
Surely not someone as guilty as me for having obscure "XV's" tucked away?
Bam Bam stright in too, another year or two and you'll be claiming Barry Mansfield in there as well haha

While we are at it KQ how about for Kenya?
Can't say I can think of anyone straight up but you may surprise me?

Bobby, a true legend and man of the game. I respect this boy, he is a champion. I remember he was the icon of SA Rugby when I was growing up over there, he would stick out his tounge when he socred a try. Long live Bobby!

well i must admit there is a bit of a glut of back line talent- i had trouble thinking of forwards to put in there.. really scraped the barrell.

The problem with kenya is that theyve never had the opportunity to develop their players to the level of S14 or true representative quality, however thats changing. Their Sevens Team are awesome currently and have the world at their feet. A combined Kenya/Zim Xv would be VERY strong = well stronger than Namibia/Portugal at least :D

5 M Passaportis (Western Province U19, U21 & Leicester Tigers academy)

I beat he doesn't have any problems when he goes to another country. Sorry.

hehe - his sister was at school with me and she was the butt of many travel jokes :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Burgs

While we are at it KQ how about for Kenya?
Can't say I can think of anyone straight up but you may surprise me?

---

Did you say "obscure"..sure, I can give you obscurity but will have to restrain myself (in any case, I don't remember most :iconrofl:). Having said that, we have had a few Kenyans turnout for a number of union and league teams in the UK (though not the premier leagues) with some degree of success over the years. Most, probably about 99%, have been backline players as you would expect.

As Zim has pointed out, 7s rugby seems to be our current forte and, *ahem* (my moment of self-importance), I've had the priviledge of wearing the "red-green-and-black" just under 10 years ago at the start of our ascent in international 7s rugby (however, it was a brief one year stint and was quickly axed from the 1st VII for being too slow..bastards :verysad:).

Still did better than most of us mate :cheers:
I'd rate that higher than a Maori All Black Trialist too :D
The current crop of Kenyan 7's dudes certainly are a good unit, and such a different physique/style to the rest of the nations.
Quite refreshing really.