Bob Skinstad

Izimvo is truly honoured to introduce former Springbok Rugby Captain, Bob Skinstad.

When it comes to household names, there are not many as popular as Bob Skinstad. Bob’s professional rugby career includes 42  Springbok caps with a total of 55 points (11 tries). He has represented South Africa at all levels of the game including captaining the under 21’s in 1996 and 1997, and playing for the SA Sevens team in 1997. Bob retired from professional rugby in 2007 having captained the Springboks on 12 occasions.

Today, Bob is an entrepreneur with various interests including his pride and joy, The Toad in the Village – a country pub in Noordhoek. He is also a regular member of the SuperSport broadcast team.

Blog: http://www.bobskinstad.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bobskinstad

Bob was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Bob Skinstad, 33, social entrepreneur and broadcaster, married, two kids – born in Zimbabwe

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Secretly a marketing and innovation addict, have subscribed to fast company, inc and business2.0 for ten years plus – love seeing and using trends from overseas in SA context.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Reading, fishing and now surfing is my new hobby so have spent as much time fishing and surfing as possible.

Rugby in South Africa

Q: Having lived the dream of every schoolboy rugby player by representing both your province and country, what advice would you offer young players wanting a career in the game?

A: Don’t decide early – play the wait and see – you can easily still get a degree or start a trade while you play thru the junior ranks – your mind is a bigger asset than your body , and it starts to dull as soon as you become a pro player so sharpen it up as much as possible – enjoy it

Q: If you had to single out a highlight from your rugby career, what would it be?

A: I loved sevens as a game and played (lost ) Fiji in the final of the sevens world cup in Hong kong – still a fond memory – I suppose being able to come back and play without emotional baggage was also special, which led a to a small role at the World cup, very lucky !

Q: What do you think the impact commercialization has had on the school boy game?

A: I believe it’s stopping the further mental development a bit – but I love the FNB varsity cup cos it’s a nice mix of both worlds and allows journeyman players that often miss out to shine – they have got the marketing side of it right too.

Q: If you were to select a South African all-star team with players from any era, who would pick as captain?

A: John Smit.

Q: What, for you, has been the greatest lesson from your years as a professional rugby player?

A: Stay young , stay curious and enjoy yourself – it was taught in a funny round about kind of way , but am always learning !

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: yes, and yes, but only to make us more aware of our surroundings – and to make better, smarter choices when looking at lifestyle – a real blessing.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: yes, but only to go and explore for a bit – I lived in london for 3 and a bit years and loved it , got lots of fond memories from there, – the worst thing about London is running into insecure South Africans spreading a lie about our country

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I would institute gross national Accountability – a practice that we severely lack !

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Cape town is whirlwind visit in itself – but the table mountain national parks area, incorporating Chapmans, Table mountain and Hout bay would be great – then after having got to know them , i would head on a Safari, any one of decent game viewing and hosting experience, but probably go via a township visit, because otherwise everyone thinks we live a lie, and have a great meal and entertainment at somewhere like Mxolis , and the winelands !

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you think is Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction?

A: Tourists all book for Cape Town and ask about Chapmans Peak so I would imagine it’s up there.

Q: Favorite venue for watching the big game?

A: My little pub in Noordhoek, the Toad in the Village is second best to live (can’t wait for the cape Town Stadium to be hosting rugby !)

Q: Favourite beach ?

A: Fish Hoek – in the early morning, before the crowds and with kids is my new passion, otherwise Llandudno Sun-downers are pretty spectacular.

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: A farm , close enough to the city to commute but big enough to indulge in passions, somewhere coastal !

Q: What would you make required  reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Power of Less by Leo Babauta and Crush it by Gary Vaynerchuk

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow morning ?

A: At my home in Noordhoek – but early enough to catch a wave before some meetings !

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: The Hopes, dreams and ACTIONS of South Africans who are positive about our country and that want to contribute to our future as a surviving, thriving example of what is possible.

A massive thank you to Bob for finding the time to answer our questions.

Please support Bob’s bobsforgood Foundation, the purpose of which is to put shoes on the feet of South Africa’s children. A great initiative that we can all get behind. Details