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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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