Thursday, 18th October 2007 at 12:23 pm

Wikus in, as Skinstad bows out

Way back in December last year, when the return of Bob Skinstad moved out of the shadows of muttered rumour, and was confirmed as an unlikely truth, the projected path of the big loose forward was the subject of much conjecture. Adored in Cape Town, hated in Pretoria, Skinstad’s return was closely monitored, and while the man himself remained admirably low-key, there was little doubt his eye was on the World Cup.

Ten months later, and the Skinstad story - bar a late injury amongst the 22 chosen for the final - has come to an end. A cameo appearance at the death against Argentina will, it seems, have marked the final appearance for Skinstad in a Springbok jersey, the relentless forward game of the English prompting Jake White to opt for the foraging skills of Wikus van Heerden as back-up to Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Danie Rossouw.

And so Skinstad, who was eased into the Sharks Super 14 squad, showing a hard-working transition from flashy tearaway to committed workhorse, and subsequently fought his way into the squad - which he ended up skippering once more - will watch the final from the terraces. A quiet end, perhaps, but while he’d love to be in the 22, he’s played a major role in the squad, lending experience and support to John Smit, and adding a dimension to the team in training and camps that can’t be seen from those outside the immediate periphery.

Skinstad will move on post-World Cup, Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski leading a young generation of loose forwards snapping at the heels of the World Cup incumbents; he’ll do so with a World Cup winner’s medal (Feverpitcher is trying not to tempt fate here…), however, and with the knowledge that he’s played a key role in the campaign, fully justifying White’s efforts in including him in the Springbok assault on France. Van Heerden could well make a crucial difference off the bench if the game goes as England hope it will; don’t discount the role of the smiling loose forward in the terraces, however, if John Smit does lift the trophy on Saturday night.