Skinstad admits that he has been too vocal in the past and believes his performances, not his words, could see him make a success of his return to the game.
"I do have a big mouth, I like to speak my opinions, but I don't need to be in the media saying all kinds of things," Skinstad told the Sharks website, sharksrugby.co.za.
"There are very knowledgeable rugby people here in the province, and if I do my talking before the doing, it will do me no favours.
"The only favour [I ask] is to pick me if I am good enough.
"I don't believe I am coming here with nothing to offer, but I must package and present it correctly.
"The game isn't where I was five years ago, but I have remained linked to rugby, stayed abreast of what's happening on attack and defence, and now I must match my knowledge with the physical side of it.
"It was a schoolboy dream of mine to play for the Sharks, but I was lured to the Cape by Stellenbosch University and ended up at Province. It has been an amazing journey, full of ups and down, and I find myself now with the opportunity to play for the Sharks.
"However, I must stress that I am certainly not playing for them yet - I need to be selected first. But the gap opened for me to do it, and I can't wait to play."
Skinstad believes the new coaching team of former Springbok midfielder Dick Muir and New Zealander John Plumtree has helped him motivate himself again.
"I see a totally different attitude by Dick Muir and John Plumtree and that has motivated me. Part of the reason for playing again is the fact that I never won a Super 12 and would love to bring some silverware to Durban.
"I still enjoy my rugby and I want to have a crack at it.
"I know that I am going nowhere near a Rugby World Cup if I don't have a good Super 14. At the moment I'd like to do well in the Super 14 for the Sharks, and if I can perform, then I'd like to stay.
"I am not here to use the Sharks as a bouncing board to playing for the Springboks, but rather as a process to enjoying my rugby.
"I'm certainly no pensioner but I am incredibly impressed by the youngsters and their level of fitness and dedication. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but the body has had lots of rest and I am committed to be where I need to be."
Skinstad scored 10 tries in a Test career that spanned six years from 1997 to 2003.
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