Bob Skinstad's agent, Craig Livingstone, boldly offered the No 8's services for R3 million over three years to the Natal Sharks. Understandably, the Sharks didn't take the bait.

No one in his right mind will invest that amount of money in a player with a huge question mark over his ability to play top rugby again.

The Sharks have already been burnt by the big money they wasted on Andre Snyman. In his first comeback match from a serious ankle injury this year, the Springbok centre broke his other ankle and was ruled out for another season.

Having been spurned by Natal, Skinstad has been forced to agree on a new one-year deal with Western Province - subject to a medical test. He wasn't happy with the fact that WP were going to cut down on his salary substantially, so that's why Skinstad was trying for a better deal elsewhere.

Kim Davidson, Natal media liaison and marketing manager, told a newspaper: "I believe WP weren't offering him the kind of money that he wanted. His agent approached us, but we weren't interested."

As wonderful a player Skinstad was at his best, the sad truth is he hasn't played since South Africa's 27-21 World Cup semifinal defeat against Australia last year. He was a disappointment at the World Cup and risked his future by returning to rugby too soon after injuring his knee in a car accident in April last year.

Skinstad might have received better offers elsewhere had he played in the recent interprovincial Sevens - as he had apparently planned to. But his continued inactivity has fuelled speculation that his rugby future is in doubt.

Livingstone, however, was confident Skinstad would recapture his former glories next year: "It's going really well. He'll start training with the Stormers squad soon and he's looking forward to an exciting 2001.

"We've agreed on terms with WP and he'll sign the contract within a matter of days. From our point of view, we wanted a one-year contract because he's been out so long. A short-term contract is much better as it takes a lot of pressure off him."

Should Skinstad be ready to run out for the Stormers in the Super 12, he will face stiff competition as they have an embarrassment of riches at loose forward - with Adri Badenhorst and Chean Roux both strong candidates for the No 8 berth.