Elite Rugby Banter

Ant, Phil and Andy recap the two season finales for URC and Super Rugby as well as the non-Test between the B&I Lions (minus Leinster) and Argentina (minus most of their first choice French clubbers). The Lions head off to Australia with more questions than answers but Ant like a good Brit thinks this might be a good thing. The Super Clubs of Leinster and the Crusaders add more trophies to their storied histories, and the Bulls bullies get taught a lesson at Choke, I mean Croke, Park. Meanwhile, attention turns to the Test window, with an appetizer in the form of the BaaBaas in Cape Town who have already run up significant bills at Caprice in Clifton if rumours are to be believed.

From the pressure cooker (kicker?) of Kingsmead to the doldrums of Scotstoun and the predictable fortresses of Loftus and the Aviva, the URC quarter finals are now behind us. One South African side will appear in a fourth consecutive final, but who will it be? Will wily Willie outwit the wing-center Hooker? The Champions Cup final was a humdinger, but was Pollock a pillock or a Saint? Finally, will the Antipodean fans be able to grasp the inanity of the Super Rugby Pacific knockout (kinda, but not really?) round? (Hint: we struggled.) Have a listen to find out. PS. A big congrats to Ant and Phil, winners of our SRP and URC draft leagues, respectively! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Hey! Remember us? It's been a while, but that means there's plenty to talk about. URC and Super Rugby Pacific approach their business ends while the announcement of a Lions tour gives us plenty to chew on. Is the fate of the Crusaders tied to Will Jordan's knee? Is Mack Hansen injured or is it just a conspiracy? And why is he banned on Hinge? Is Andy older than a potato? Find out here. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Is Hooker a hooker? Is Tizzano a hooker? What about Henco? Or Marnus? Spoiler: probably only the last one. But listen anyway to find out. It has been a while! Ant, Phil and Andy quickly recap the lost episode wrapping up the Six Nations before turning to the tail end of the URC and a highly entertaining Super Rugby Pacific edition. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

A very special in-person episode was recorded for your pleasure, seeing a return of not only Andrew but Ant's rants and Super Rugby Pacific. The reunited trio look ahead to the rugby extravaganza that is SRP, asking the deep questions like who can stop the Blues, can the Crusaders get any worse and will all of the Australians improve without the Rebels. We also look back on the first two weeks of the 6 Nations (Rugby's Greatest Championship™) as Ant lets his feelings known strongly about their claim to be the best and at all of the big news from the rugby world including the inevitable demise of one Warren Gatland. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Better late than never! Ant has a lot to get off his chest after a couple of months away. Joined by Phil, the duo assess the state of play for the South African teams in the URC and Champions/Challenge Cup before diving into a 6 Nations preview. Can the Sharks go all the way in the URC? What is wrong with the Stormers? Will the Bulls and Lions make their games in hand count? And will Wales finally break their losing streak? All these questions answered and more! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Boks have dominated the Player of the Year nominees, but will World Rugby conspire to select another Irish backrower? Phil and Andy launch the #JusticeForOx campaign as they ask whether rugby will always let props eat cake without proper recognition. The duo shine the spotlight on the latest fixtures like Stade de France did on the haka, and then sidestep like Kolbe to consider the impending Cardiff feast. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The former colonies dominated as the South swept aside the imperialist North in the Autumn Nations Series as cocky fans' egos swelled more than Kolisi's eye socket. Bok supporters are still unhappy with four tries to none, while Will Jordan keeps advancing on Dougie Howlett's record. Australia get a famous win despite being a Schmidt team, and Fiji hand Wales off in entertaining fashion. Lots to talk about in this week's bumper episode of Elite Rugby Banter. Strap-in for a bum-per episode this week. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Is Marcus Smith the Messiah? Or was it a bad Ford to cross. Are Scotland the real deal, or are Fiji just anti W(h)ales? Can anyone stop Sititi or Telea (spoiler, you'll find out on Friday). The gang (sans Bird) run the rule over what each team (including Kenya) would deem a success for the autumn/spring/November/end of year tour. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Dick takes a swing at hosting as the team recaps the URC progress of the South African teams. Listen in as the misinformed mispronounce and sometimes miss the point, unlike David (Richard no T) Kriel against Benetton. To sweeten things up, dessert is served in the form of a quick preview of the upcoming international fixtures as well.

The Boks sign off on a wildly successful Rugby Championship campaign in emphatic style in Mbombela, while the All Blacks heap further misery on an admittedly Schmidt Wallaby team. Then, in the URC, the Lions and Bulls enjoy the comforts of home while the Sharks and Stormers succumb to the frigid northern climes. Has Ox done enough to be the first prop to win World Rugby Player of the Year? Will all four nominees be Springboks? Will the Stormers ever win overseas? Find out in this week's episode. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Boks return from Argentina with their tails between their legs, much like the Lions who threw away a full-time lead when the Sharks smelled blood in the water at Ellis Park. Adam returns to the pod with Andy and Phil to recount the Currie Cup final matchday experience and put the magnifying glass to the mysterious case of Manie's missing compass. The panel predicts the Boks to put the BOMB back in Mbombela this weekend, though. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Boks are Argentina hoping to give the Pumas a Moer(at)ing with a much-changed side, while the Currie Cup reaches its zenith with the Sharks traveling to Joburg to take on the Lions. Will Esterhuizen lead Ant's boys to their second trophy in succession? Or will Nohamba take his revenge on his old employers and sent Phil into a frenzy? Oh, also, the Bledisloe Cup is now the wooden spoon playoff for The Rugby Championship. What a time to be alive. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's the first Freedom Cup in 15 years, the first 4 consecutive wins over our greatest rivals since 1949, and Marx gets to 100 (points) before Willie becomes a centurion. Overall, it's a remarkable time to be a Bok. Also in this episode - in the Currie Cup, Western Province are the coriander, Lions are enjoying a birds-eye view at the top of the log, and the Sharks are the real-deal Durban masala. And where to for the woeful Wallabies after their Pumas mauling? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Springboks toppled the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in a tense, tight affair but it's all to play for in Cape Town as both teams will come out firing. Join the gang as they discuss all things Springboks and All Blacks, as they get ready to watch the blockbuster of a match at Cape Town Stadium this weekend. Also discussed are Ant's grievances with the entire nation of New Zealand, as salty Kiwis come out of the woodwork, exciting plans for future All Blacks tours to South Africa and vice-versa, and some murmurings of the tail end of the Currie Cup. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Rassie has been ice cold with his selections this week, proving he's not a Fassi eater. Will Sacha flake on the biggest stage of his career? Will the artificially sweetened bomb squad have the desired aftertaste? Will the new lock combination melt or glisten? One thing is for sure - the action won't be vanilla as the Boks take on the All Blacks this weekend. Also, Kristen, we love your ice cream. Please can we have one on the house?

A rare four-man front row gathered to discuss the latest Bok test, as well as some Currie Cup and u18 action. Who were your winners and losers of the Bok tour Down Under? And is the All Black touring squad instilling any fear? Find out here on Elite Rugby Banter. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Bok team has been announced for the Brisbane Barney and the boys are frothing. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (SAFM to his mates and the pod) headlines the announcement as the starting flyhalf, with some other notable talking points ahead of the Southern Hemisphere's signature competition. Is this the Boks' chance to make a statement and perhaps be the best team between World Cups as well as during? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

In a second-ever happenstance, our three regulars found themselves around the same table. Are Australia the form team of World Rugby? Is the smart money on Manie, or is Sacha such a talent? Is McKenzie the real MacDaddy or just macaroni? Does Ant support the NovaVit Griffons now? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Elite Rugby Banter (the podcast, not the musical) is back with a full complement of 3 (the same number of minutes Willie managed before getting concussed, again). Ireland have won back the Raeburn Shield as well as the rights to Zombie as the emerald greens got in Rassie's head. Jannie de Beer's illegitimate red-haired lovechild quelled a boisterous shark tank, much to Ant's dismay in the stands. The game is dissected along with the other notable series decider between the All Blacks and England. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Is Dylan Richardson going on the next Lions tour? Should the Western Cape never host another Junior World Cup? Who is the best of the new coaches on the block? Can the Northern Hemisphere claim back some face this weekend? Will Ireland have any players left? And will Phil get washed away in Newlands? All these questions and more are answered as Ant and Phil tackle a busy rugby weekend. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

There's a bone to be picked, a debt to be paid, and an injustice to be avenged… Are we talking about the Boks v Ireland series or the Team GB women in their underwear? Listen to find out. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant, Phil, and Andy recap the first post-RWC Bok game, the URC final, and the Blitzboks qualification for the Olympics. Oh, the highs and lows of being a South African rugby fan... Also, what on earth are we supposed to do next Saturday without even our Antipodean rugby to look forward to? Our panel mulls over this grave happenstance...

Andy hosts while Ant commutes between URC, Super Rugby Pacific and the first Bok test of the season. Will Fortress Loftus hold against the Warriors of Glasgow? Will the Chiefs give the men from Auckland the Blues? And will it be Boks Office or Wails with the experimental Twickenham tour? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The four-man pod returns sporting light blue jerseys and nose rings as the Stormers crash ungraciously out of the URC. Andy rules supreme in rugby fantasy land, and the boys pick their Bok squads for the upcoming series against Ireland. With all the injuries at outside back, who will accompany the old men Mapimpi and Le Roux? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant comes out firing on the back of his beloved Sharks victory in the hitherto unheralded European Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, pod guest Dick Taylor helps to unpack some more meaningful competitions in the Champions Cup, URC, Super Rugby Pacific, the Japanese League One, and the SA Cup. Hilarity ensues. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Have a listen to find out why Phil may be the key to unlocking the Springbok backline against Wales, but only after Christmas. Also in the pod: Andrew and Adam's special Gauteng bond, why Ant is as shit at fantasy as the Sharks are at URC, and why Siya Masuku should be starting for the Crusaders. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Phil takes on the Damian de Allende role again, swapping out Lukhanyo Am (Ant) for his other centre partner, Jesse Kriel (Andy) on this two-man recap of the recent rugby on the go. Have the Stormers lost their spark? How did the lean Lions slay the log-leading Leinster and are they in with a knockout shout? Can the Sharks swim their way to European glory? And will Phil support them? That and more on this week's episode. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant and Phil are once again a two-man pod and continue to chat all things 6 Nations, Super Rugby, URC, Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. Ant's Sharks have turned the corner but can they win the whole Challenge Cup? Can the Lions focus on the URC and sneak a top 8 finish? Ireland take the 6 Nations crown but will they be able to beat the Boks in SA? Wales are left with the Wooden Spoon so where to now for the men in red? Just how unlucky is Ant's Super Rugby draft team? We're still asking when the Crusaders will turn things around in Super Rugby as the Hurricanes, Blues, Brumbies and Chiefs steam on. Is Chasing the Sun the best sports documentary out there? Join as we ask all of the tough questions. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant and Phil are left in control without Andrew to keep things civil as they give their verdict over all things 6 Nations, Super Rugby, URC and SVNS. Ant's Sharks continue to let him down, while best-team-in-the-world™ Ireland struggle to rule the roost over England. Did Ant really support England over Ireland? Are Scotland just missing some South African in their back row to be competitive? What is going on with the Blitzboks in the SVNS? When will the Crusaders turn things around in Super Rugby? And who should captain the Springboks going forward? Join us, as we attempt to answer all of these questions and more. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

It's been too long. The boys dispense with the formalities of hosting and somehow manage to cover pretty much everything that has happened since our last episode in the year 24 BC. Will Italy ever become a force to be reckoned with? Is Sam Spink a sleeper draft pick? Was France ever as good as we thought? Will Andy ever recover from his whisky hangover? All but the last one will be resolved here, and watch our social media to find out more as the story develops on the babbelas! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Our regular panel along with guest Alex take stock of the URC, Challenge and Champions Cups. Is Ivan Rooyen a renaissance man? Is e coli the reason for the Sharks woes? Is Shifty's shift to Stormers a good sidestep? Will Willie le Roux reach 100 caps? Did we forget to mention that Benetton are sitting pretty 2nd on the URC log? Find out here. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Yes, the URC has started. Ant wishes it was merely a nightmare, but local rugby has been on the go for a few weeks. We recap the fortunes of the URC teams, recap the Blitzboks win in Dubai, and look forward to the festive schedule ahead. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The team mops up on all the goings-on in the world of rugby since the World Cup. From the Knocked Out XV to the Springboks victory tour, Duane's retirement to the reinvention of Welsh veterans (no, not Dan Biggar, he's done). If you're expecting an update on the URC, you're going to have to wait for next week. Until then, the Sharks are shit without their Boks. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

What a performance! It's a great day to be South African as Andrew, Ant and Phil wax lyrical about the Springboks' outstanding Rugby World Cup final display that dispatched the All Blacks, and put smiles on millions on faces. The gang break down the game in Paris to its key moments and run the rule over the game's different aspects which led to South Africa extending their lead at the top of Rugby World Rankings. An off-the-cuff team of the tournament is decided. The Springboks' World Cup legend goes on and we could not be prouder. For New Zealand, a case of what would've been. A third consecutive 1-point victory. We're not quite sure it's real, but last night the Springboks defended their World Cup title and became the first team to win it four times. Pure championship mentality. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

There's nothing quite like it. The Boks are back at a World Cup final, and it's the old foes that stand in the way. Rugby's giants go head to head in pursuit of the ultimate title. Also featuring: what's slippier - Mark Telea or Jamie George's lineout throws? Is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moonlighting for Cape Town City FC? Will Welsh clubs ever beat anyone again other than each other? Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

This is our longest episode yet, which reflects the colour, contrast, and quality of rugby on offer this past weekend. Two of the all-time classic Test matches played out in finals-worthy fashion, accompanied by another two QFs that were runts of the litter from the weaker side of the draw. Nonetheless, our very close games are closely analysed by a team that includes a guest appearance from Heinrich, work-mate of Ant and host of Hier's Die Ding. A very optimistic view to the finals is entertained, with some disclaimers about the potential speedbump of old foes England. A negligible amount of attention is paid to the launch of the 2023/24 season of the world's best club league, the URC. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

This is one of our longest episodes, but also one of our most hotly debated shows ever. First, Andy, Ant and Phil wrap up the pool stages of the World Cup, who under-performed and who shone. Then, chaos and uncertainty reign as they turn their attention to what is a tantalising and incredibly equally matched series of four North v South battles in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals. Form vs class, team chemistry vs individual game breaking ability, knockout rugby or sticking to your game plan template. It's almost too close to call, but we try anyway. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show

The second last round of pool games is over, leaving some interesting permutations for the knockouts. Who between the tournament underperformers Argentina and Japan will go through with England? Will Italy stun hosts France? And will Scotland beat Ireland by more than 20 with both teams simultaneously scoring four tries to rip a black hole in the space-time continuum to knock the Springboks out of the World Cup? Short answer - probably not. Long answer - listen to the episode.

The boys are back as they run the rule over the third round of Rugby World Cup pool games, with Australia bombing harder than the Bok "Nuke" squad. Otherwise, some largely uninspiring games set the stage for some interesting pool exit permutations. Theme: 80s TV Show by @monstroid

Phil and Ant, our two Rugby World Cup correspondents and travellers, are hosted this week by a very jealous and lonely Andrew back in Joburh. They moan about French beer prices and the underwhelming Pacific Island performances (other than the Flying Fijians), but also delight in a Romanian romp and the general World Cup atmosphere on the ground. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Andrew chooses pudding over podding and birds over balls, leaving Phil and Ant to rule the roost and run over the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Tempers are kept in better check than journos being triggered over disco lights, but excitement for the next two months overflows as Phil and Ant prepare to make their ways to France! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Andy, Phil and Ant run through each of the pools, putting their predictive prowess on the line, highlighting the key players and the definition of success for each side. Fair warning - there are some hot takes befitting of the European heatwave and some mildly spicy disagreements. Follow us on our socials and join us on the official Rugby World Cup fantasy game (Your unique league code for ERB World Cup Fantasy is: NJFWI40O) and also Superbru. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Springboks won by a world record margin against the All Blacks to end their RWC prep on the perfect note. The team dissect the tactics that produced the victory, grapple with the inconsistent disciplinary applications (like did Farrell shine his shoes?), and deliberate on whether some of the individual performances warrant a World Cup rethink for the Boks best XV, if that's even a thing... Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Springboks overran minnows Wales while the English tackle technique is proving contagious. Eddie "Indiana" Jones has bigger fish to French fry and what a ruse from the Wallaroos. The Bulls Daisies are pushing up the women's game locally, while the Cheetahs Force the issue in Bloemfontein. The Boks look for a psychological edge against a Frizellless All Blacks while testing Canaan's Moodie in the middle.

Andrew has a meltdown while Phil and Ant barely manage to contain themselves as the team run the rake over the Owen Farrell non-sanction, the absurd Wallabies World Cup squad, the lack of almost all first-choice international flyhalves, and New Zealand completely forgetting that they have a domestic league on the go. Some sanity is restored with the return of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi for the Wales warm-up game. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Hot off the press! Phil, Andrew, and Ant give their immediate reaction to the Springbok squad announcement, with some still in shock. No Pollard, Am, or Lood - but Andrew has been secured as the team kicking coach so there's that. It's not all doom and gloom. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

With the Rugby Championship out of the way, the gang run the rule over the World Cup warm up fixtures. The Wallabies rediscover their basics, Argentina regress, Manie Libbok loses his kicking boots and then finds them again, Samoa have better ex-All Blacks and Wallabies than Tonga while Fiji's homegrown heroes get it done, Japan see red again, Wales get an unforgettable win over Borthwick's lost boys, and Ireland rejoice in a post-Sexton preview. Check out our Facebook group, IG and Threads account - give us a follow! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Rugby Championship is all wrapped up, with the imperious All Blacks turning the Wallabies into Joeys and the Boks just winning a contentious joust in Jozi. Andrew and Phil run through the last results, reflect on the state of play after the abbreviated tournament, and start to turn a meaningful eye to the Rugby World Cup and the warm up games to come. Who will put their hands up in Buenos Aires and force their way into the RWC mix? If you want our opnions, take a listen. If you don't why are you still reading this? Check out our Facebook group, IG and Threads account - give us a follow! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

The Boks tinker with their lineup again ahead of the final round of Rugby Championship against Argentina. Will the South Americans dare to kick onto our diminutive back three and risk the electric counter attack? Will Libbok get the ball past the muscly ball hogs in the middle to his wings? Will Frans Malherbe start every Bok test from now until eternity? These are the important questions we ask ourselves. Also Ant goes on yet another rant about foreign player eligibility. Check out our Facebook group, IG and Threads account - give us a follow! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Ant gets much needed counselling in a cathartic and pensive dissection of the Springbok loss to the All Blacks in Orcland. Question marks abound as the World Cup draws ever nearer but not all is lost. P.S. we now have an IG and Threads account - give us a follow! Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.