Gcobani Bobo

Gcobani Bobo

Birth name	Gcobani Bobo
Date of birth	(1979-09-12) 12 September 1979
Place of birth	King William's Town, South Africa
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	97 kg (15 st 4 lb; 214 lb)
School	Dale College Rondebosch Boys' High
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2001–2004 Golden Lions () 2005–2007 Sharks (Currie Cup) () 2008–2009 Western Province () 2009–2011 Newcastle () Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2002–2003 Cats 13 (30) 2005–2007 Sharks 13 (5) 2008–2009 Stormers 25 (10) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2003–2008 South Africa 6 (0) 2013 Bermuda Select XV

Gcobani Bobo (born 12 September 1979) is a former South African rugby player, rugby commentator and author. His preferred position was centre, although he had played wing on numerous occasions, with some success due to his pace. Bobo played for the Golden Lions, Sharks, Western Province, Newcastle Falcons, Cats, Sharks and the Stormers.

In 2015, Gcobani, together with Elvis Jack, co-authored a rugby thriller novel titled The Rise of the Dagger: What Happens in a Rugby Story When Life Interrupts?. Published by Bula Buka, the book follows the story of Xolile Dalindyebo, a South African rugby player of Xhosa descent who, intriguingly, speaks Japanese. Xolile quickly rises to prominence in the rugby world, thanks to his talent and cunning, but his newfound success is threatened by a scandalous and secretive past in Japan.

Career

Bobo started his career as a flanker, until then Bok coach Nick Mallet suggested that Bobo should shift from the side of the scrum to the midfield. Bobo was selected for the South African U-19 side in 1998 and then spent two years playing for the Golden Lions U-21 outfit. His performances in the then Bankfin Currie Cup earned him selection to the SA 'A' team in 2001. When he was elevated to Super Rugby, he was ready. The burly centre scored a hat-trick on debut against the Bulls, and looked set for full Springbok colours before a knee injury at the House of Pain put paid to his short-term ambitions.

Bobo was considered to have a good chance of selection for the 2003 World Cup, but he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a warm-up encounter – having been named in Rudolf Straeuli's squad. Jake White realised Bobo's potential and tested him on the Vodacom Outgoing Tour in 2004. But Bobo had lost some of his enthusiasm and he lacked pace.

Given a second chance by Rassie Erasmus, Bobo returned home to the Cape to play for the Stormers Super 14 team and has rediscovered the form that made him a Bok, partnering Jean de Villiers. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, like de Villiers Bobo left, signing for an overseas team, Newcastle Falcons.

Author

In 2015, Gcobani, together with Elvis Jack, co-authored a rugby thriller novel titled The Rise of the Dagger: What Happens in a Rugby Story When Life Interrupts?. Published by Bula Buka, the book follows the story of Xolile Dalindyebo, a South African rugby player of Xhosa descent who, intriguingly, speaks Japanese. Xolile quickly rises to prominence in the rugby world, thanks to his talent and cunning, but his newfound success is threatened by a scandalous and secretive past in Japan.

Publications

The Rise of the Dagger. Lulu Press, Inc, 2016. ISBN 9781329761469

References

Sources

• "South African centre Gcobani Bobo joins Newcastle Falcons." The Guardian. 3 July 2009.