Skinstad in comeback

PARIS – Bobby Skinstad, the former golden boy of South African rugby, will complete a remarkable comeback tomorrow when he leads the 1995 world champions out against Tonga in Lens.

The 31-year-old Zimbabwe-born flanker admits that the pressure will be on his shoulders to help a fairly inexperienced team overcome a combative Tongan outfit, who like them are unbeaten in their first two matches. Skinstad, who burst onto the international scene in 1998 mainly as an impact player, said there was no question of letting up against the Tongans after a 59-7 thrashing of Samoa and a 36-0 humbling of England.”We want points and to keep the momentum going,” said Skinstad ahead of the Pool A clash.”We want a clear run through to the quarter-finals and I see my role as being the link to this team and the Test team.I want to keep the guys keen.”Once they see the light at the end of the tunnel extinguished they lose confidence and morale, but they haven’t seen the light go out yet.Nampa-AFPSkinstad, who burst onto the international scene in 1998 mainly as an impact player, said there was no question of letting up against the Tongans after a 59-7 thrashing of Samoa and a 36-0 humbling of England.”We want points and to keep the momentum going,” said Skinstad ahead of the Pool A clash.”We want a clear run through to the quarter-finals and I see my role as being the link to this team and the Test team.I want to keep the guys keen.”Once they see the light at the end of the tunnel extinguished they lose confidence and morale, but they haven’t seen the light go out yet.Nampa-AFP