KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Bobby Skinstad, the former golden boy of South African rugby, will complete a remarkable comeback on Saturday (midnight NZ time) 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 quarterfinals 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.
"The message from me to them is the stage is there, go out and perform like you want to, but don't take the Tongans lightly."
Springboks coach Jake White is relieved he can count on the 39-times capped 1999 World Cup veteran as it means he can rest some of his other veterans.
"We are quite lucky having several guys, who have the experience to skipper the team," he said.
"I am more worried about him being a leader on the field, and not having to put Victor (Matfield) and John (Smit, the regular captain) on the pitch. He (Skinstad) deserves his chance."
Skinstad has battled back twice from career threatening knee injuries - once in 1999 after a car crash and then again in 2000.
However, 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.
He has no regrets about taking that decision.
"I guess I retired and took a sabbatical. Working at the same time I couldn't give 100 per cent to two things. Now I have taken a sabbatical from work."
However, Skinstad is adamant that this is his last hurrah.
"I came back to win the World Cup," admitted Skinstad, who was a member of the side, along with Percy Montgomery and Os du Randt, who reached the 1999 semifinals.
"I am going back to work afterwards. The final challenge is October 21. I have learnt during my time away that leadership of people is more important than the numbers on the jersey.
"Also in rugby the team environment is five feet by five feet (referring to the scrum) while the whole world is bigger than that."
Skinstad, who missed out on the 2003 World Cup because of a broken arm, admits that returning to rugby has been a shock to the system.
"It's much more physical and faster, and I have had to change my game from running into a defensive and attacking the ball game," he said.
"Games now are much tighter and go down to the wire, so it is more physically demanding."
- AFP
