In this raw, unedited penultimate episode of Nice Try For the Fans, Timothy and Elle start looking back on a thrilling year in rugby.
The excitement is palpable, maybe it's Cameron Hanekom’s long-awaited debut or the incredible feat of three South Africans being nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year, there’s no shortage of pride and celebration.
We reflect on the Springboks’ almost-perfect season: if they conquer Wales on Saturday, it’ll be 11 wins out of 13, with the two losses heartbreakingly close.
The duo breaks down the past weekend’s Autumn Nations Series with a focus on Springboks vs. England. Did England lose, or are the Boks simply unstoppable even when performing below their best?
Plus, we analyze how New Zealand came really close against France but they have more good to take out of their match than the Irish who just survived against Argentina.
Looking to the future, we share special insights into the Springboks’ long-term strategy with an eye on 2026’s tour against New Zealand and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and let’s celebrate an epic year of rugby together!
--------
1:00:41
Episode 11 The Redemption Round
In Episode 11 of Nice Try, we break down the Springboks’ thrilling victory over Scotland and look ahead to their upcoming clash with England, who’ll be eager to bounce back after two recent losses.
Hosts Timothy and Elle look at key players, line-ups, and facets of play that could make the difference in this match.
Will England find their footing, or will the Springboks keep their momentum strong?
Manie Libbok returns to the starting lineup with a point to prove after his last outing against England in the RWC2023 semi final. Meanwhile,Wilco Louw makes his first Springbok appearance since 2021 and Kurt-Lee Arendse is still on the road to recovery from a concussion and hasn’t yet fired on all cylinders.
On the opposite end, England's coach, Steve Borthwick, faces mounting pressure to prove he’s the right man to lead the team forward.
Subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts as we head into the Redemption Round!
--------
46:26
Episode 10: Champions of Champions
In Episode 10 of Nice Try For the Fans, we celebrate the Springboks being crowned champions, hopefully silencing their critics and proving their dominance.
Join us as we relive the highlights, key players, and unforgettable moments from this triumphant campaign.
We also examine the opposition: New Zealand’s emerging talent, Argentina’s impressive three victories this year, and Australia’s potential return from their dark times.
We ask the burning question: Is Pieter-Steph finally going to claim his World Player of the Year Award?
Plus, we highlight the breakthrough stars and discuss what’s next for the Springboks as they prepare for their northern hemisphere tour next month.
As we head into a break until the Springboks’ outbound tour, catch up on any episodes you missed, leave your comments, and share the podcast with fellow rugby fans!
--------
53:24
For Eben
In this special Episode 9 of Nice Try For the Fans, we celebrate a player many consider the greatest South African rugby has ever produced: Eben Elizabedi Etzebeth. We reflect on his incredible career and what makes him such a standout in Springbok history.
We also look back at the Springboks' recent loss to Argentina and discuss Los Pumas’ rise as genuine contenders in The Rugby Championship.
With the final match in Nelspruit fast approaching, we break down the various permutations for both teams and analyze the lineup changes.
In addition to international rugby, we talk about the Currie Cup and URC, sharing an excellent resource (link below) to enhance your viewing and listening experience. And, as always, we wrap up with The Ones Who Got Away, celebrating those would-be greats who almost made it.
Tune in for all the rugby insights, celebrate Etzebeth with us, and join the conversation!
Your comments are gold!
https://shorturl.at/vNl2j
--------
1:03:21
Episode 8: On The Brink
In Episode 8 of Nice Try For the Fans, we gear up for the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship as South Africa stands on the brink of winning the tournament for the first time since 2019.
We recap the Springboks' thrilling victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town, exploring how the All Blacks' inability to play a full 80+ minutes has become a new trend. Wallace Sititi and Codie Taylor stood out for New Zealand, but as always, the Springboks found a way to secure the win.
Looking ahead, we preview the upcoming Bledisloe Cup clash between Australia and New Zealand, where both teams are desperate for redemption.
For the Springboks, it’s a showdown against Argentina, a team that can be unpredictable—will it be the Argentina that nearly edged out Australia or the one that put 40 points on them?
Timothy also spotlights the younger players making their mark on the Bok squad.
We also touch on the Currie Cup final happening this weekend and, as always, wrap up with our favorite feature, The Ones Who Got Away.
Disclaimer: We had some technical issues with the audio this time around, but we wanted to get you this episode ahead of the weekend’s matches, so you'll have all the key insights for your water cooler and braai banter.
Nice Try is the ultimate Rugby World Cup fan haven! Immerse yourself in the heart-pounding excitement, meticulously crafted by devoted fans, exclusively for fellow enthusiasts. Join us as we dive into the electrifying world of rugby, delivering news, riveting previews, and insightful reviews of the highly anticipated upcoming Rugby World Cup. But that's not all – we're delving even deeper into the sport's rich history by assembling the definitive all-time Springbok starting lineup. From legendary players to iconic moments, our podcast leaves no scrum unturned. Tune in to be part of the passionate roar of the crowd and fuel your rugby obsession with the in-depth analysis and fervor that only true fans can provide!
South Africa