Elite Rugby Banter

The Springboks have played, SA A have capped everyone with a pulse, and apparently the All Blacks just aren't scary anymore.

Phil, Ant and Adam unpack the SA A victory over Zimbabwe, the rise of the latest batch of under-20 stars, and why Rassie's second-team experiments might be one of the smartest things he has has done. There are flowers for the youngsters, sympathy for the injured, and widespread agreement that getting yourself sent off for tackling someone in mid-air is generally a bad idea.

The boys also dive into the Barbarians match, where the rugby was entertaining but the ticket prices and the poor attendance were significantly less so. Is South African rugby charging too much? Does a full stadium matter more than maximum revenue? And how many times can people complain about the Play Cup before it becomes a tradition?

Elsewhere, the Bulls once again discover that URC finals are not particularly fun, Quan Horn survives his flyhalf experiment, the Hurricanes put the Chiefs through an industrial shredder, and the panel asks the question nobody would have dared ask ten years ago: exactly how many All Blacks would make the Springbok starting line up?

Apparently not as many as you might think.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Springbok season is finally here, and Rassie has wasted no time giving us something to argue about. Phil and Ant unpack the first Bok and SA A squads of the year, from a backline full of baby Boks to the surprise selection of Quan Horn at flyhalf. Is SA A becoming rugby's version of passport control? Which youngsters are most likely to force their way into the conversation? And just how excited should we be about Siyaya, Pead, and the rest of the next generation?

Elsewhere, the Bulls prepare for another trip to Dublin and another crack at Leinster, while Super Rugby reaches its climax with the Hurricanes and Chiefs set to battle it out for the title. The boys also take a brief detour into the Barbarians squad, questionable football red cards, and the terrifying possibility of American-style ad breaks making their way into rugby.

Springbok season is back, the rugby calendar is packed, and Ant somehow still finds time to complain about scheduling and soccer. Nature is healing.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Another month has passed in the ERB rugby universe, and finally the gang have reached the knock-outs. Not them, but at least the Stormers. Andy and Ant, who are Phil and Dick-less this week, speak about the Stormers just being themselves in throwing away a winnable game against Leinster, and praise the Bulls' grit at Murrayfield (though Pollard really shanked them...). They also chat Super Rugby, Tony Brown having the best life plan 18 moths out from the World Cup, and more.

It’s the young guns (which excludes our panelists, sadly) who take centre stage this episode, from Zekhetelo and the Boogeyman at the Sharks to the Baby Boks and even LBB at Bordeaux. U20s, URC, Super Rugby, and Currie Cup all coming to you courtesy of the boys at ERB.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It’s a full house for the first time in forever as we cast our minds back to Six Nations last round excitement, as well as the ongoing Super Rugby Pacific and URC competitions. South African sides remain firmly in contention for playoffs in Europe and at home, and the game appears to be in rude health judging by the unpredictable nature up north. What a time to be a rugby fan!

Ant goes deep on old Sharks rosters while also talking up the new-gen Irishmen. Dick is feeling bubbly in the jacuzzi and gets technical on bonus point standards of deviation. Phil gets us back on track with a level-headed look at the latest URC and Super Rugby tables and cup fixtures. Andy drinks whisky and toasts Scottish success despite their mediocre bronze medal showing (classic Scottish fan) while diagnosing Sacha with Gelantitis!

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.