Gcobani Bobo

Who is Gcobani Bobo?

Gcobani Bobo is a South African rugby player. His preferred position is Centre although he has played Wing on numerous occasions, with some success due to his pace.

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 broke into 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 cruel knee-injury at the aptly named House of Pain, put pay to his short-term ambitions.

Bobo was considered to have a good a chance of selection for the 2003 World Cup. But lightning struck twice and Bobo tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a warm-up encounter – having been named in Rudolf Straeuli’s squad. Jake White realised his potential in and tested Bobo on the Vodacom Outgoing Tour in 2004. But Bobo had lost some of his shine. The mental knives had begun to dig away at his enthusiasm and he lacked pace.