Skinstad to return to Newlands

Corne Krige confirmed that ex Stormers and WP team mates Bob Skinstad (Richmond Rugby Club), Hottie Louw (Cardiff Rugby Club), Braam Van Straaten and Pietie Ferreira (Lions) will be returning to Cape Town to play in the historic Corne Krige Testimonial Match against a World XV at Newlands on Friday 9 June.

The above players will form part of the Vodacom WP Corne Krige XV squad, and will be available for selection together with current Vodacom WP players.

The World XV announced a very strong side that will take on the Boks at Ellis Park the week prior to the match. Included in the World XV side is another modern WP legend Cobus Visagie (who currently plays for UKclub Saracens) Cobus will team up with other current greats of the game including Carlos Spencer, Matt Burke and Justin Marshall.

‘I am thrilled that Bob, Hottie, Braam and Pietie have accepted my invite to play in my testimonial match,’ said Corne Krige. ‘They are all great players and longstanding friends. Bob is one of the modern-game all-time South African legends and we have played in many teams together. Together with exciting players in the current WP set up such as Luke Watson, Schalk Brits and JD Moller, I believe that we will have a very competitive team.’

Contacted for comment in London, where he works in advertising and broadcasting, Bob Skinstad said, ‘Corne and I have come a long way together. He is a true WP icon and I am thrilled to have been invited to play in this historic match. Despite having taken a self imposed sabbatical from the professional game for the last two years, I am very excited about returning to Cape Townand running out at Newlands again in the Blue and White hoops.’

The game on Friday 9 June is at 19h10, with Corne’s old school Paarl Boys playing Rondebosch Boys in a schools curtain raiser match at 17h15.