Bobby Skinstad's first outing as Springbok captain proved a success, overcoming a disastrous first half to lead his team to a comfortable 60-14 win over Italy in a one-off Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The first 40 minutes of Skinstads' tenure was a forgettable experience and perhaps the worst Bok performance in recent memory, but he gathered himself and his troops, with his charges scoring seven second-half tries.

Springbok coach Harry Viljoen said after the match that Skinstad needed the first half to settle before stamping his leadership on the game.

An example of Skinstad's hands-on leadership was epitomised midway through the first period when substitute hooker Lukas van Biljon replaced the injured John Smit.

Skinstad left the already formed lineout, jogged halfway up he field to greet the jittery Van Biljon, put his arm around him and whispered words of encouragement. The effect was immediate.

Van Biljon was named man of the match, and Viljoen said he played with power and passion, a trait missing in the Bok set-up of late.

Van Biljon was all over the park, but his performance was tinged slightly with news the hooker may have broken his hand minutes into the second period and with both Bok hookers under an injury cloud the Tri-Nations could see the re-emergence of James Dalton.

Skinstad continued to cajole his players and at the break, with the Boks leading 17-9, he gathered his troops and instead of lambasting them, he used cricket parlance to motivate them.

"I told them they had already laid the base for a long innings and that they should now play some big shots," he said after the match.

And open their shoulders they did, scoring three tries in six minutes after the break, ending any Italian hopes of a shock victory.

Skinstad was involved in most of the tries, linking up with the backline, driving with meaning, and shouting words of encouragement.

At the after match press conference Skinstad showed his worth as an outspoken public figure, answering questions with the ease of a long-time captain.

Skinstad's effect on the younger players was there for all to see, and it is clear that he is being groomed with Viljoen's World Cup 2003 vision in mind.

Some of the senior players may not feel that Skinstad is experienced enough to lead them into the fray, but they will probably not be around come 2003. - Sapa