RugbyBits

Shaun and Thala are joined by rugby journalist and broadcaster (and hot take artist) Caleb Mutombwa to review the weekend’s Autumn Nations Series. We start with the Springboks victory over England by debating who won the kicking game, the Boks taking turns to step Freddie Steward and which Boks players stocks rose and fell after this game. Caleb reports from the Steven Borthwick press conference and discusses whether the pressure on Borthwick is increasing, his selection failures and whether England are on the right track. We then look at many of the other Autumn Nations Series games over the weekend. We are in awe of the cinematic production of the haka at the Stade France in France’s victory over the All Blacks, the Wallabies extending Wales’ losing streak to 11, Italy overcoming a difficult Georgia opponent, what Ireland’s narrow victory over Argentina tells us about both teams and what Scotland can learn from playing sides like Portugal. Finally we react to the World Rugby Awards nominations which include nominations for three Springboks for men’s 15s Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont starring in the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, a debate about the Men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year and why the Women’s 15s Player of the Year is Ellie Kildunne’s to lose. We also ask what will happen in Bok Twitter if Caelan Doris wins Player of the Year!

We are joined by Charlie Morgan as we preview the big England v South Africa test.    We look into the coaching merry-go-round with Steve Borthwick's assistants, the defensive set up, what Freddie Steward is picked for and a lot more.   Kooks, Thala and Shaun then go through the Springbok squad and pick their pressure points ahead of the big clash

Kooks and Shaun take a deep dive into the Springboks' win over Scotland, we take a look at each player, decide which 9 we want to start against England and Shaun explains how the Scotland minds stopped them from winning   We look at a brilliant All Black win and ask again why Razor failed to use his bench. Have Ireland lost all the players that get the team fired up?   England were next to be upset as the Wallabies secured their best win under Joe Schmidt. We look at the midfield and focus on Joseph Sua'ali'i   We glance over the French and Los Puma's wins and talk up Antoine Dupont ahead of the All Black clash.

Thala, Shaun and Kooks have a look at magnificent Mark and how the All Blacks beat England.    We start off with our first phase of which Scotland player you would start for the Springboks and we pay tribute to Joe Marler who retired from test rugby but not before helping give the fans what they really want when watching the Haka.   With the Autumn Nations Series well underway we look at England and how they got undone by New Zealand, we unpack the bizarre running meters by the Scotland backs and Thala issues a Q&A ahead of Round 2.

Kooks and Thala come again for Part 2 of their Autumn Nations Series preview and they focus more on the players in this round. Kooks and Thala discuss whether Pieter-Steph du Toit has the World Rugby Player of the Year award in the bag, which Springboks and Ireland players could contest and what the size of meltdown would be if Antoine Dupont wins it without playing a test this year. We then discuss which best players in a position in a world title fights are happening in November - we look forward to Sione Tuipulotu measuring himself up against Damian de Allende and the triple threat match between Ardie Savea, Caelan Doris and Gregory Alldritt. We finally look at some of the news from the rugby world, including Munster firing Graham Rowntree, Joe Marler sparking yet another Haka debate and the additions to the Springboks squad.

Kooks and Thala have a two-part preview for the Autumn Nations Series and ask the burning questions for the upcoming games. We first share memories and discuss why the Autumn Nations Series is the most special part of the international rugby calendar and if rugby played in the southern hemisphere is given that yellow filter like they do for movies set in Mexico. We first discuss which team has the most to gain this series and why the All Blacks, England and Italy could make big statements with a strong November and what the potential pitfalls are. We then discuss what would be success for the two top nations, the Springboks and Ireland - do they have to be unbeaten for a successful November? Which newer players might appear for both sides? We then finish off with the coaches on the chopping block. We look at whether Wales can have their first win of the year and if Gregor Townsend has taken Scotland as far as he can before technical difficulties cut us off for Part 1

Kooks and Thala review week 5 of the URC and the Springbok squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Kooks and Thala discuss the return of Damian Willemse in the squad and Ruan Nortje, Elrigh Louw and Jan-Hendrik Wessels staying in the squad. Then we discuss if we might have made a mistake placing Ulster at the bottom of our tiers list last week. We break down impressive wins for the Stormers and the Sharks, a gritty defensive win for the Lions. We discuss why the Bulls can’t play in second halves and why Munster’s lineout is faltering. We then look at some of the rugby news around the world, including why behind the back passes are apparently bad, whether Japan has any chance to knock over New Zealand and Kooks has a rant for all the different kickoff times for the Autumn Nations Series.

Kooks and Thala rank the URC into tiers after 4 rounds of the URC. We divide the teams into four different tiers: Championship Contenders, Playoff Locks, Dark Horses and Basement Dwellers. Find out where we rank the South African teams. Why we think it’s the year for the Lions to make some playoff noise, why the Bulls are still championship contenders, why Stormers fans shouldn’t be too concerned (yet) and what exactly are the Sharks cooking. We also won’t be tricked by Munster, still need to be convinced by the Wales teams, Kooks challenges Benetton and impressed with the defending champions Glasgow. We also discuss why Squidge Rugby seems to have lost the South African Twitter streets, Siya Kolisi advocating for women’s rugby and which award has Faf de Klerk been nominated for alongside Antoine Dupont and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Jared and Shaun go over the weekends result that saw the Springboks secure their first 'real' Rugby Championship title since 2009.   We discuss the performances from Saturday and look at the Bledisloe Cup plus how the two sides will fare in the future.   We take a look at the Springbok midfield and how the future looks

Kooks and Sharky chat about how upsetting the Springbok loss was. We look into a brilliant Los Pumas performance and where it went wrong for the Springboks.    We take a look at the new Springbok match day 23 and have a bit of a wobble at the end leaving Sharky to sign off

Thala and Shaun have a look at the Springboks squad that Rassie Erasmus named ahead of the opening Los Pumas test.    We look into each position and highlight the inexperience of the pack and Shaun makes a call on how Manie Libbok will be introduced.   We look at how Scott Robertson is on a razor's edge with his job and talk loose trio's Bledisloe Cup results and more.   Lastly we look at the Currie Cup and make some bold URC predictions

Kooks and Shaun take a look at the second Springbok win over rivals New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.   The Springbok set up a great chance of taking the Rugby Championship title in the 5th round against Argentina away.    We look at which players performed on both sides, dive into the absolute disaster of a second test for the Wallabies and look at which Springboks should tour next week.   We both disagree on the Willie le Roux yellow card and Shaun is unhappy with World Rugby's 'No Stoppages' plan.   We look into how the Rugby Championship could possibly fit into a 2026 when the Springboks host New Zealand in Mnzansi for a mammoth tour. Kooks highlights the importance of a Grand Slam tour in November and he hits Shaun with a 'Pop Quiz'

Jamie Wall joins us again as we look ahead to a very important test in Cape Town.   Both teams have made changes and Jamie explains why it is hard to get used to an All Blacks side being dictated too. We look at the team, the strange but exciting All Black loose trio and the wings on both sides. We try and understand the thoughts behind the Jordan and Sititi positional selections and Jamie looks into the Kolisi/Cane online battle   Jamie predicts and epic midfield battle again with his eyes firmly on Jordie Barrett.   We discuss the beauties of South Africa, brandy and braai's and so much more.

Thala and Shaun walk through the Springbok test and how well the All Blacks started, we talk about the impact the Bomb Squad made and what the All Blacks need to do to win this type of game.   We take a deep dive into all the controversial moments and set the record straight on the Aphelia Fassi yellow card and the Bongi Mbonambi try.

We welcome Jamie Wall who is in South Africa following the All Blacks on their two test tour. Jamie is and Author and Journalist.   He has written four books on the All Blacks including The Hundred Years' War about the Springbok and All Black rivalry. You can order his books here (https://www.jamiewallrugby.com/buy-my-books)   We discuss the funny inclusion of Eben Etzebeth into the squad, look into how Beauden Barrett will become the most capped All Black, where the All Blacks are strong, who are their options at 10 and much much more. Finally we chat about Hadleigh Parkes and his full circle moment on re-signing with Manawatu in the NPC.

Kooks, Thala and Shaun give their thoughts on Rassie Erasmus' Springboks squad he named for the opening All Black test in Johannesburg.   We go through the surprise calls, who will drop out if Eben Etzebeth is passed fit and take a look at the David Nucifora and Felix Jones news.

Kooks, Shaun and Thala break down the Springbok squad selected for the home double against the All Blacks. We discuss whether how match sharp Jaden Hendrikse has looked since coming back to play for the Sharks. We discuss if Steven Kitshoff has to win his place in the 23 back from Gerhard Steenkamp and whether Elrigh Louw has done enough or will Jasper Wiese come straight back into the Bok 23. We discuss why Nico Janse van Rensburg was recalled after being out of the picture for 3 years. We even try to pick our matchday 23s for the Ellis Park game. We then react to Leon MacDonald stepping down as the All Blacks assistant coach and speculate if this is also Rieko Ioane’s fault. We also react to the news that the negotiations for Siya Kolisi to rejoin the Sharks have stalled and whether Jacky Lorenzetti will make sure he plays every match from Racing in the future.

Shaun and Thala review week 2 of the Rugby Championship. We start with the Springboks’ bonus point victory over Australia. We discuss what we learned and saw from the second stringers, the impressive and error free performance of Aphelele Fassi, the workhorse performance from Ruan Nortje and why Jan-Hendrik Wessels reminds Thala of Pierre Spies. Shaun raves about the calmness of Lukhanyo Am, and whether Pieter-Steph du Toit might be the best blindside flank ever. Looking at the other Rugby Championship sides, we discuss what the Wallabies are trying to be good at and the value of Nic White and Marika Koroibete, why Argentina can’t back up big wins and the ruthlessness of the All Blacks up front led by Tamaiti Williams and Ethan Blackadder.

Shaun and Thala preview Week 2 of the Rugby Championship by looking forward on Australia hosting South Africa and Argentina looking for their 2nd win in two weeks in New Zealand. We first look at the experience bought in by Joe Schmidt with the selections of Nic White and Marika Koroibete. We discuss how Angus Bell can change fortunes at the scrum and we look at how Australia could test Lukhanyo Am defending at 12. For the All Blacks we try to figure out what Scott Robertson is doing with these changes to the backline, Shaun talks about how they need better performances from their locks and flanks and Thala looks forward to more kicking from the All Blacks. We finally talk about some of the surprises in the Pumas selection, including Kremer at lock and the return of Montoya and what a Pumas victory could mean.

Thala, Kooks and Shaun go over the Springbok performance in Australia as the South African's equalled a record held since 1993.    We look at star performers, unpack how poor the Wallabies are, check if John Kirwan has stopped spinning and gasp at the huge changes made by Rassie.   Before we end we look into Cheslin Arendse and have some fun combing players into the Universal Soldier