Tadgh Beirne’s red card lit the fuse this weekend, and while most of us were still debating intent versus accident, BBBB was already pledging his undying defence of the man. We ask whether a Barrett‑less All Blacks might actually be the better version. Meanwhile, SaFM continues to smoulder — is it still flames or just smoke and mirrors? Two aerial 50/50s had everyone split down the middle, Kolbe’s solidity was put under the microscope, and the big questions loom: Is Quan Horn already a better bet than Andries Coetzee, should Pat Lambie still be the Boks’ first‑choice 10 (yes, Ant went there), and was Faz completely mad to back Doris?
Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show
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Episode 303: Blue Balls - JHW is early for Movember
We are 5 weeks into the URC and have 5 weeks of Springboks rugby ahead - it's the perfect time for a stock take. Do the Boks have what it takes to go 5 from 5? Are the Stormers as good as they seem? Did the Citing Commissioner set an extremely dangerous precedent? The answer to at least one of those questions is a yes. Listen in to find out what the guys think.
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Episode 302: Rugby Champs Report Cards!
After a brief review of the URC second round and the last of the Rugby Champs (Bokke back to back!), each of our four regulars delivers the end-of-term report on their allotted team. Listen in to find out more about James O'Connor's haircut, why Jordie Barrett may have resurrected Camille Chat's international career, Ant's Nic White impression, and Kolbe's sudden senile onset.
Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
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Episode 301: WTF was the Bok Game?!?!?!
Strap in for a chaotic episode as Phil, Ant, and Rich attempt to analyse the un-analysable. The Springboks' win over Argentina had everything: 97 points, 12 tries, a hattrick, a bizarre drop-goal attempt from your own in-goal, and a coming-of-age masterclass from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. We break down the madness, the genius, and the sheer lunacy of it all. Plus, we cover the Bledisloe Cup, the URC kick-off (Stormers good, Lions bad!), the Women's World Cup final and why a certain Welsh analyst has got it all wrong about the Boks. Pure, unadulterated rugby banter.
Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
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Episode 300: Lions Kicked into the Bottomless Pit
This week, Dick blows the whistle on the TRC’s scheduling shenanigans, accusing them of high tackle interference with the Women’s RWC and AFL finals. It’s a calendar clash of titanic proportions, and someone’s getting yellow-carded.
We scrum down on the age-old debate: Six Nations or TRC—which competition reigns supreme? Spoiler: it’s less “crown jewel” and more “jewel heist,” depending on your hemisphere.
The Lions did a thing—celebrated like Currie Cup champions at 80 minutes, then promptly remembered they’re allergic to silverware. We unpack the collapse, the curse, and the cruel optimism.
Meanwhile, New Zealand rugby might be going full haka-flameout, and Australia’s eyeing the unthinkable double— breaking both the Eden Park and Bledisloe hoodoes. Is it a golden age or just fool’s gold?
Plus: the URC kicks off and our draft preview goes off the rails faster than a Bulls fan at altitude. Expect botched picks, bruised egos, and a few players who were drafted purely for their haircuts.
Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
Elite Rugby Banter - the rugby pod where the commentary is as unpredictable as the bounce of the ball. Join Phil, Ant, and Andrew, three rugby nerds and fantasy draft managers, as they give their biased and unqualified but never dispassionate opinions on all things rugby related.
Andrew:
Rugby claim to fame: length of the field try against Bishops for the u12 C team
Teams supported other than the Springboks: Stormers, Scotland
Favourite rugby moment: every Breyton Paulse flick-flack
Ant:
Rugby claim to fame: Lightest hooker to play senior rugby for UCT
Teams other than the Springboks: Sharks, Giltinis (RIP), Nambia
Favourite rugby moment: any Frans Steyn 50m kick, or Louis Carbonel pointing and laughing at the english before slotting a conversion, or RG fighting the whole Aussie team
Phil:
Rugby claim to fame: Smashed through a whole a Kingswood team to score a magical try (twice)
Teams other than the Lions: Springboks, England, Cheetahs
Favourite rugby moment: Lions comprehensive win over the Sharks in the 2011 Currie Cup final
You can find them on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, and Acast.
South Africa