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Bob Skinstad hails being part of 'sleeping giant' club takeover

Springboks back-rower Bob Skinstad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France (Photo by Tertius Pickard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Former Springboks skipper Bob Skinstad has taken to social media to share his delight at being part of the investor group that have taken over Beziers, the French Pro D2 club. The 48-year-old had been chasing a takeover for a number of years with fellow investors, who include retired All Blacks No10 Andrew Mehrtens.

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A deal has now been stuck with the current sixth-place second tier club in France and Skinstad, who will co-chairman with Mehrtens, has hailed the potential for turning Beziers into a superpower of the game once more.

Beziers are the third most successful French club, it’s tally of 11 Bouclier de Brennus titles only surpassed by Stade Francais (14) and Toulouse (23). While both those clubs have thrived in the professional era, Beziers’ last title came in 1984, their sixth title in seven years and their fourth in a row.

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Writing on LinkedIn, Skinstad said: “We bought a Rugby Club! 🏉🥳 Looooong standing childhood dream unlocked. After more than a few years of chasing projects together and seeing everything available, we have acquired AS Beziers Herault (Pro D2 France and 11-time French champion)!

“The passion for sustainable, community-led and serving rugby in the south of France is extraordinary, and quite possibly, the most competitive in the world. Big thanks to my partners in crime, Andrew Mehrtens, John Howard, Dan Mckeown, EJ (Jordan Associates) in Strangford Rugby, and a few more amazing people on the cap table, watching and supporting from afar.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

1
Wins
2
1
Streak
2
11
Tries Scored
15
-43
Points Difference
36
2/5
First Try
4/5
2/5
First Points
3/5
2/5
Race To 10 Points
3/5

“It was their shared passion and vision to reawaken this ‘sleeping giant’ of French rugby and bring a fresh era to the club. I look forward to showing people the amazing town of Beziers and the Herault region, famous for its wine, food, rugby, 300 plus days of sun per year and hugely passionate fans.

“Together, with the support of fans and community members, we are dedicated to making AS Beziers Herault a benchmark in rugby, where tradition and ambition unite to achieve lasting success.

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“This club has the potential to be a superpower in France again, and I look forward to being part of this journey!”

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Comments

1 Comment
J
JPM 18 hours ago

I hope it will be a different Béziers than the « ex-giant » that hurt so much the French rugby for at least one decade: boring rugby, ultra violent players, ….

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Hellhound 12 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I'm no fan of Du Point, but I am not blind. I will go as far as agree to disagree. Without him the French wouldn't nearly have been so good. He has made game saving tackles, he has steered the French to victory in most of his games. He creates try assists that should not have been.


His kicking is very accurate, and if he was a Bok, he would be in the team. Roigard is very good, but he is no Du Point. He is a generational talent. You dislike him BECAUSE everyone is so hyped about him, NOT because he is a very good player.


It's the same with me. It irritates me, but I am not blind. ANYONE saying he isn't good, is definitely lying to themselves. Do yourself a favour. Go and look at highlights about him on YouTube or somewhere. Really have a look. Without prejudice.


He isn't as lucky as other players to have the kind of players like SA and NZ have, although currently the French forwards is the biggest on the planet. To my shame I must admit that every game I see him play, I hope someone injures him which is very very wrong. It's just that he is THAT GOOD. There is no other players that I ever wished for that, because they are just not in his class.


No, stop lying to yourself. Go look at his stats. He is responsible for at least 60%-70% of the French score every game. Creating tries, scoring himself or assist, pin point kicking, creating gaps, tackles like a machine, slippery as hell and always tries to dominate a ref which is starting to count against him, but don't be fooled. I haven't even mentioned half of what he does. He inspires that team in a way other players can never do.


There is no other scrumhalf in the world like him, and there will never be again. I hate the French and I hate Du Point, but there is no denying his talent. If he played for your team, you would have raved and absolutely loved him. That is not to say Roigard isn't good. He is very good too.

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