VIDEO: Skinstad interested in buying the Stormers
The Western Province Rugby Football Union remains under the administration of the South African Rugby Union.
Still, at least one potential high-profile suitor has put up his hand to acknowledge his ‘interest’ in the United Rugby Championship title holders – the Stormers.
WPRFU is one of the few unions that still has a 100 percent shareholding in its professional arm.
The WPRFU’s professional arm, the Western Province Professional Rugby, may now indeed be a step closer to obtaining that much-talked-about long-term equity partner.
Former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad has confirmed the Stormers is ‘one of many teams’ he is interested in.
It has been rumoured for some time that an international consortium in which Skinstad is involved in is one of the frontrunners to obtain a controlling share of the WPPR.
The 42-times capped Bok, Skinstad, lists himself on his LinkedIn profile as an international public speaker, sports pundit, entrepreneur and private investor.
In the latter capacity, he could be involved in the Stormers, a team he played for, for nearly a decade.
Speaking on an online forum, organised by the United Rugby Championship, Skinstad was cautious about revealing too much.
However, he confirmed his interest in the Stormers.
Skinstad described the URC as the “most upwardly mobile” league in the global game – one of the reasons he would be interested in getting involved in the Stormers.
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“They have proven that the North and South mix can work,” the 2007 World Cup winner said.
“I think it has been amazing for the South African game.”
He said moving to the URC “fixed” a lot of the problems South Africa had while engaged with New Zealand and Australia in Super Rugby.
“Well done to the URC management, as well as the South African Rugby Union and the URC teams to have the vision,” Skinstad said.
“I am interested in many teams, one of them being the Stormers.”
He added that subject, his interest in the Stormers, is a discussion for another time.
“It is one of the most popular sports in the world.
“We have seen the interest in the upcoming World Cup [in France in 2023].
“The last four weeks I have been to full stadiums all over the World – not least of all in Dublin.
“I saw 70,000-plus Irish fans watching a resurgent Ireland team at the top of their game knock over South Africa.
“It is a sport that is on the up and staking its claim worldwide.
“This league, the URC, is getting it right.
“The game is wobbling in some leagues and we don’t need to mention who is wobbling.
“In the URC there are some prized assets and they can be proud of that.”
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