September 5, 2025 • 7 mins
Two great sporting rivals are squaring off once again.
The Springboks are aiming to breach the Fortress and bring an end to the All Blacks over 30 year undefeated streak at Eden Park.
It all kicks off tonight and so Piney caught up with former Springboks captain Bobby Skinstad to preview the test, getting his thoughts on if the South African side will be able to break that streak.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk s ed b Let's.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bring in South African Rugby Royalty skin stud stone him
off hands off gold so for the third time now,
so i'd aft you could come up the skin stuts.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Skin Start drew up, you have Buddy and Bobby skin
start with a big dive.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Believe me, he has enjoyed that.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Bobby Skinstead forty two test matches for the spring Box,
twelve of those as captain, scoring eleven tries. He attended
three World Cups. He's in New Zealand for this one
and he joins us on the phone. Bob great to
get the chance to chat. How much would it mean
for South Africa to be the first side to beat
the All Blacks at Eden Park since nineteen ninety four?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Oh man, it would mean everything.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I mean, I think it's a fantastic goal for the players.
It's proven to be so difficult that that you know,
nobody's been able to do it for that long. But
you know, tonight is one of those one of those
matches that I think that they'll they'll hang their hats
on the fact that you know they've they've got an
outside chance, and and they'll give everything. I think it's
a it's a fantastic opportunity.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Do you think it's just an outside chance, Bob? Or
is this is this a coin flip? I feel as
though there's very little between these two teams.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, I think there is very little between these the
two teams. I think you're right, you know, But but
it's going to come down to who turns up this evening.
You know, on the on the sort of on the
balance of probability. You know that the Abs have have
been more successful here at home and and therefore, you know,
have a fortress that they can.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Defend, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
But then the spring Box have done some amazing things,
some crazy and brave things over the last sort of
six year period, seven year period, and and they've achieved
all over the world. So I'm I'm I'm confident that
they'll give it a real red hot go and and
I think they'll be. They'll be in this game. But
it's still a very difficult thing to do.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know. I can't I can't. I can't get out
of that that part of it. I can't get out
of my mind.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
We all know the South African rugby d NA, the
physicality in the and the you know, just the the
big men running into battle. You know, time after time
we know what South African rugby looks like. Is that
what you expect tonight that they will play that way
South Africa?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah, I think they'll be very physical. I think, you know,
I've got to say just looking at the at the
teams that the Abs have got a very physical bench
coming on as well. You know, they've got a physical bench,
physical pack starting and then a physical bench coming on
as well. So so you know, maybe they've they've taken
a leaf out of Russy's book and said we'll do
(02:51):
our own little bomb squad version of But I think
South Africa have got some nice physicality.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
I think they might look at the.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Stats in in in in this game and at Eden
Park and they might say, look, you know, to be
in this we need to play a lot of rugby
in New Zealand's territory. So we need to we need
to keep them there because we don't want them attacking,
you know, us relentlessly when making mistakes in our own half.
So I think we'll probably see quite a mature game
(03:19):
from the spring box I would, I would imagine, and
then you know that they've got some big men who
stand up in the big games. And you know, I'm
thinking of the Damian Delendi's and Chess and Colby's and
Andre Pollard's, you know, I mean, these are guys who've
who've done it wherever they've needed.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
To, all over the world.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So it's a it's a great opportunity for them to shine.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
As has see Calisi of course, and we didn't know
whether he was coming, let alone be available to play.
He's here, He's starting at number eight tonight. How big
a boost is that.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
I think it's a great boost.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
I mean, here is probably one of the most effective
loose forwards we've seen in the in the game. You know,
he's up against a very good counter to that, in
addis Severe and and you know the whole loose forward
trio from from New Zealand are good. But you know,
we're sears. He has got a fantastic advantage. He's a
(04:10):
he's a very giving player. You know, he does a
lot of assist tackles, he does a lot of assist carries,
he does a lot of snaffling in the ball, looking
after the rock area.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
He's a very he's a very clean sort.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Of proponent if he will, of the breakdown area, and
that's going to be super important tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
So I'm delighted he's back.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
I've heard a little story on the side that he said, listen,
he wants to concentrate on his game. He wants to
put in the effort, so the burden of captaincy, he
doesn't want to change any of that, and just an
amazing sort of show of servant leadership. He just wants
to get in and do his job. And that's that's
just amazing and it really is, you know, indicative of
the measure of the man.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Indeed, so the captain's armband goes to Jesse Kleel. We
all know his quality. What kind of leader will he be?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Though?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I think he's a he's you know, he leads with integrity,
he does the hard work, he doesn't shy away from anything.
I mean, you've seen how he's built and how he
can deliver on the on the field. I think Jesse
will rarely concentrate on making sure that the big decisions
are made well. So, you know, tactically, where are we
playing this game?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Tactically?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
We've seen the Springbox have got an outside end defense,
a rush defense, a very chaotic defense that doesn't work
when you're on your own twenty two, but it does
work when you're in the oppositions twenty two. So I
think they'll want to try and play the rugby there,
and Jesse knows he's as the leader, he's got to
try and keep the team in that red zone and
in that territory.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Bob, as someone who's played a lot of big rugby matches,
what is the best strategy for not letting the game
and the occasion get the better of you?
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I think, I mean, what a great question, because you know,
everybody's got their own different routines, different background, different experiences, etc.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I think you'll see.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
The one thing I do love about the Springbok team
is that they're so deeply passionate about what they mean
to the country and what they mean to people back home,
that they'll take it so seriously that they'll make sure
they prepared in all the right ways.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
And that's going to be different things for different people.
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I often go in early in the test matches and
you watch the different pockets of guys preparing. Some guys
are off stretching very early. Some guys are just taking
in the stadium, you know, the sort of emotional cues
and markers from the fans and the people out there.
And then some people are giving the old silent treatment
(06:28):
and just walking around in their own thoughts. So I
think they'll all find their best way to prepare and
then bring a great physical and emotional charge to the
battle tonight.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
All right, to finish, then, what type of test are
you expecting? Are you looking at a is it a
twelve or eleven again that sort of thing. I don't think
this is a blowout. Is it a type test match
decided on moments?
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I think it's going to be decided on moments. Yeah,
you're right.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
I mean, I'm hoping that we don't see too much
TMO and outside in influence. I'm hoping we see two
teams that play with fifteen men, you know, for the
whole contest, and it's just a chance to see them
test themselves physically, which which will will probably mean that
the measure of this will be a very tight you know,
(07:17):
who's who's the who's the first person.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
To make a mistake?
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Tough thing, and and that's a pressure cooker environment, so
it should be a fantastic match.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I'm always love welcoming you to New Zealand and having
you on the radio with us POP. Thanks so much,
mad enjoy the game tonight.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I'm looking forward to it and I can I just
say that the sentiment and the people of New Zealand
have been wonderful hosts and deeply grateful to everybody who's
who's made us so welcome in your country.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Thanks Funny, Great to chat now.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Great to chat to you too, Bob the Great Bob
Skinstead joining us ahead of an epic test match tonight.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk s ed b Let's.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bring in South African Rugby Royalty skin stud stone him
off hands off gold so for the third time now,
so i'd aft you could come up the skin stuts.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Skin Start drew up, you have Buddy and Bobby skin
start with a big dive.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Believe me, he has enjoyed that.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Bobby Skinstead forty two test matches for the spring Box,
twelve of those as captain, scoring eleven tries. He attended
three World Cups. He's in New Zealand for this one
and he joins us on the phone. Bob great to
get the chance to chat. How much would it mean
for South Africa to be the first side to beat
the All Blacks at Eden Park since nineteen ninety four?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Oh man, it would mean everything.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I mean, I think it's a fantastic goal for the players.
It's proven to be so difficult that that you know,
nobody's been able to do it for that long. But
you know, tonight is one of those one of those
matches that I think that they'll they'll hang their hats
on the fact that you know they've they've got an
outside chance, and and they'll give everything. I think it's
a it's a fantastic opportunity.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Do you think it's just an outside chance, Bob? Or
is this is this a coin flip? I feel as
though there's very little between these two teams.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, I think there is very little between these the
two teams. I think you're right, you know, But but
it's going to come down to who turns up this evening.
You know, on the on the sort of on the
balance of probability. You know that the Abs have have
been more successful here at home and and therefore, you know,
have a fortress that they can.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Defend, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
But then the spring Box have done some amazing things,
some crazy and brave things over the last sort of
six year period, seven year period, and and they've achieved
all over the world. So I'm I'm I'm confident that
they'll give it a real red hot go and and
I think they'll be. They'll be in this game. But
it's still a very difficult thing to do.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know. I can't I can't. I can't get out
of that that part of it. I can't get out
of my mind.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
We all know the South African rugby d NA, the
physicality in the and the you know, just the the
big men running into battle. You know, time after time
we know what South African rugby looks like. Is that
what you expect tonight that they will play that way
South Africa?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah, I think they'll be very physical. I think, you know,
I've got to say just looking at the at the
teams that the Abs have got a very physical bench
coming on as well. You know, they've got a physical bench,
physical pack starting and then a physical bench coming on
as well. So so you know, maybe they've they've taken
a leaf out of Russy's book and said we'll do
(02:51):
our own little bomb squad version of But I think
South Africa have got some nice physicality.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
I think they might look at the.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Stats in in in in this game and at Eden
Park and they might say, look, you know, to be
in this we need to play a lot of rugby
in New Zealand's territory. So we need to we need
to keep them there because we don't want them attacking,
you know, us relentlessly when making mistakes in our own half.
So I think we'll probably see quite a mature game
(03:19):
from the spring box I would, I would imagine, and
then you know that they've got some big men who
stand up in the big games. And you know, I'm
thinking of the Damian Delendi's and Chess and Colby's and
Andre Pollard's, you know, I mean, these are guys who've
who've done it wherever they've needed.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
To, all over the world.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So it's a it's a great opportunity for them to shine.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
As has see Calisi of course, and we didn't know
whether he was coming, let alone be available to play.
He's here, He's starting at number eight tonight. How big
a boost is that.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
I think it's a great boost.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
I mean, here is probably one of the most effective
loose forwards we've seen in the in the game. You know,
he's up against a very good counter to that, in
addis Severe and and you know the whole loose forward
trio from from New Zealand are good. But you know,
we're sears. He has got a fantastic advantage. He's a
(04:10):
he's a very giving player. You know, he does a
lot of assist tackles, he does a lot of assist carries,
he does a lot of snaffling in the ball, looking
after the rock area.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
He's a very he's a very clean sort.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Of proponent if he will, of the breakdown area, and
that's going to be super important tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
So I'm delighted he's back.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
I've heard a little story on the side that he said, listen,
he wants to concentrate on his game. He wants to
put in the effort, so the burden of captaincy, he
doesn't want to change any of that, and just an
amazing sort of show of servant leadership. He just wants
to get in and do his job. And that's that's
just amazing and it really is, you know, indicative of
the measure of the man.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Indeed, so the captain's armband goes to Jesse Kleel. We
all know his quality. What kind of leader will he be?
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Though?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I think he's a he's you know, he leads with integrity,
he does the hard work, he doesn't shy away from anything.
I mean, you've seen how he's built and how he
can deliver on the on the field. I think Jesse
will rarely concentrate on making sure that the big decisions
are made well. So, you know, tactically, where are we
playing this game?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Tactically?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
We've seen the Springbox have got an outside end defense,
a rush defense, a very chaotic defense that doesn't work
when you're on your own twenty two, but it does
work when you're in the oppositions twenty two. So I
think they'll want to try and play the rugby there,
and Jesse knows he's as the leader, he's got to
try and keep the team in that red zone and
in that territory.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Bob, as someone who's played a lot of big rugby matches,
what is the best strategy for not letting the game
and the occasion get the better of you?
Speaker 4 (05:42):
I think, I mean, what a great question, because you know,
everybody's got their own different routines, different background, different experiences, etc.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I think you'll see.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
The one thing I do love about the Springbok team
is that they're so deeply passionate about what they mean
to the country and what they mean to people back home,
that they'll take it so seriously that they'll make sure
they prepared in all the right ways.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
And that's going to be different things for different people.
You know.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I often go in early in the test matches and
you watch the different pockets of guys preparing. Some guys
are off stretching very early. Some guys are just taking
in the stadium, you know, the sort of emotional cues
and markers from the fans and the people out there.
And then some people are giving the old silent treatment
(06:28):
and just walking around in their own thoughts. So I
think they'll all find their best way to prepare and
then bring a great physical and emotional charge to the
battle tonight.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
All right, to finish, then, what type of test are
you expecting? Are you looking at a is it a
twelve or eleven again that sort of thing. I don't think
this is a blowout. Is it a type test match
decided on moments?
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I think it's going to be decided on moments. Yeah,
you're right.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
I mean, I'm hoping that we don't see too much
TMO and outside in influence. I'm hoping we see two
teams that play with fifteen men, you know, for the
whole contest, and it's just a chance to see them
test themselves physically, which which will will probably mean that
the measure of this will be a very tight you know,
(07:17):
who's who's the who's the first person.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
To make a mistake?
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Tough thing, and and that's a pressure cooker environment, so
it should be a fantastic match.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I'm always love welcoming you to New Zealand and having
you on the radio with us POP. Thanks so much,
mad enjoy the game tonight.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I'm looking forward to it and I can I just
say that the sentiment and the people of New Zealand
have been wonderful hosts and deeply grateful to everybody who's
who's made us so welcome in your country.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Thanks Funny, Great to chat now.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Great to chat to you too, Bob the Great Bob
Skinstead joining us ahead of an epic test match tonight.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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