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| Born | Robert Brian Skinstad (1976-07-03)3 July 1976 (age 49) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hilton College,Hilton,KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Businessman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Robert Brian Skinstad (born 3 July 1976) is a former professionalrugby union player. Born in Rhodesia, he represented theSouth Africa national team, the Springboks, winning 42 caps. He played in the positions offlanker andnumber eight.
Skinstad was born on 3 July 1976 inBulawayo,Rhodesia. nowZimbabwe. He is of British and Irish descent, and his surname is ofNorwegian origin. He lived inKloof,KwaZulu-Natal, while he attendedHighbury Preparatory School in the nearby town ofHillcrest. He also attended Fores in Rondebosch, before boarding atHilton College. His university studies took him toStellenbosch University where he lived in the Simonsberg men's residence and captained the "Maties" (university) 1st side.
Skinstad was selected by Western Province for theCurrie Cup andSuper 12, and went on to captain both sides. He then moved to Johannesburg and played the 2003 season for theGolden Lions (Currie Cup) and the Cats (Super 12) before leaving for the United Kingdom.
Skinstad was eligible to represent three countries at international level: Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ireland. His mother is from County Louth and he holds an Irish passport.[1]
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 againstEngland. In all he played 42 tests for the Springboks, scoring 11 tries.
His inclusion in the 1999 World Cup squad was controversial in South Africa, as successful captainGary Teichmann was left out. Although South Africa finished third in the competition there were many who believed that Teichmann should have been retained as captain for the tournament.[citation needed] Skinstad carried a leg injury into the competition, and made little impression.
Skinstad captained South Africa in 12 tests, from 24 October 2003. He missed the 2003 World Cup due to an arm injury.
In January 2004 Skinstad terminated his contract with SA Rugby and signed with Welsh clubNewport Gwent Dragons, for whom he played nine games. He then worked with a group, including businessmenJohann Rupert andWayne Huizenga, trying to take over an English club in London,[2] and played part-time forRichmond in England's London South-East Division 1.
Skinstad started his own sports management company, Esportif, as a joint venture with Saatchi & Saatchi based in their London headquarters.
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 theHighlanders in New Zealand, and went on to make another 9 appearances, including a substitute's role in thefinal.
He was rewarded with a recall to the Springbok training camp in May 2007, and whenDanie Rossouw was taken ill, Skinstad was named on the bench for the second test againstEngland on 2 June. He was then chosen as captain for the Springboks'2007 Tri Nations match againstAustralia on 7 July, when coachJake White rested several senior players in preparation for the World Cup. An inexperienced South Africa 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's comeback was capped off on 21 July with selection to the South Africa squad for the2007 Rugby World Cup.[5] He played and captained one full game in South Africa's winning campaign, and made three appearances as a substitute.
Skinstad retired from professional rugby on 6 November 2007.
On 21 October 2013, Skinstad was appointed as Tourism Brand Ambassador for the Cape Whale Coast region in theWestern Cape, South Africa.[6]
In 2024 he was part of a consortium that bought French Pro D2 clubBéziers, where he is now co-president and owner.
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded by | Springbok Captain 2001–2002 & 2007 | Succeeded by |