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Rugby Union

Skinstad completes return with World Cup call-up

21/07/2007

South Africa number eight Bobby Skinstad's remarkable return to top-flight rugby is complete after he was named by coach Jake White in the Springboks' World Cup squad.

The 31-year-old only returned to his homeland this year after spending the past four seasons in semi-retirement in England.

Despite combining playing in London's lower leagues with a fledgling media career, the Natal Sharks took a gamble in offering him a place in their Super 14 set-up.

He impressed in their run to the final of the competition and subsequently forced his way into White's Tri-Nations plans.

Elsewhere in the 30-strong squad Andre Pretorius gets the nod at stand-off in preference to Northern Bulls' Derick Hougaard while JP Pietersen and Wikus van Heerden beat Waylon Murray and Pedrie Wannenburg to winger and flanker spots respectively.

"It's an exciting mix of players, many of whom have been together since I started my career as head coach of the Springboks," said White.

"I have great confidence in these players. They will carry the flag for the nation during the tournament with pride."

The inclusion of only six non-white players in his selection is likely to trigger criticism of White in South Africa where the racial make-up of the squad has become a political issue.

South Africa have been drawn alongside England in pool A of September's showpiece competition with the pair's clash on September 14th likely to decide who progresses to the knock-out stages as group winner.

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