Episode notes
Shaun and Thala are joined by Jamie Wall to preview the 2nd test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Jamie takes us through the changes in the test 23, with George Bower starting after surprising everyone in the first test and Simon Parker starting at blindside. We discuss whether the rain will affect the All Blacks game plan, concerns about Deon Fourie on the bench, why the All Blacks expected Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi to return and what aspects of the All Blacks are starting to feel familiar again.
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S6 · E11 · 25 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
Grobbies big test v tricky Wallabies, URC preview and WXV Chaos
Kooks and Thala preview a busy weekend in the world of rugby, with South Africa facing Australia in Perth, the opening weekend of the URC and the continuation of WXV happening this weekend. We start with a much-changed Springboks gearing up to face Les Kiss' Wallabies. We discuss why this is a massive game for Johan Grobbelaar in his bid to become the backup Bok hooker and why Franco Mostert needs to remind us all of his place on the lock depth chart. For the Wallabies, we discuss why Joseph Sua'ali'i's move to wing makes sense and what Les Kiss will be looking to get out of this game. Kooks…
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S6 · E10 · 15 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 55 min
The RGR Review | A look at the Boks, Baltimore and Barrett
Thala and Shaun take a brief look at the fourth test and dive into the nuts and bolts from the tour, the Springbok MVP and some questions from the Dirt Trackers. Thala talks in depth about what we need to be doing at Hooker and Shaun yet again highlights the power of our midfield and still can not understand how people feel Kriel is a liability#Springboks #AllBlacks #RGR2026 #SiyaKolisi #JasperWiese #JEsseKriel #DamiandeAllende #SachaFeinbergMngomezulu
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S6 · E9 · 11 Sep 2026 · 48 min
RGR IV Preview: Krappies' big chance, Mo'unga returns, rugby in the States
Shaun and Thala preview the fourth test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in Baltimore. As the Springboks take a 2-1 lead to the US they welcome back Damian Willemse to the team and we see Morne van den Berg get a great opportunity to start this weekend. We discuss how van den Berg can back up his performance last week and whether Ethan Hooker is the first choice left winger. The All Blacks have made a raft of changes, including starting Richie Mo'unga. We discuss how New Zealand may play differently with Mo'unga at 10, how he combines with Cam Roigard and the other changes to the All Blacks team.
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S6 · E8 · 4 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
RGR Test 3 preview: Soccer City Double Header
Kooks and Thala preview the double header for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at the FNB Stadium in Soweto plus Kolbe at Fullback and Swys out for Bok Women. Kooks and Thala preview the double header for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at the FNB Stadium in Soweto. After discussing a week of rising tensions between the teams and supporters, we break down the changes made by Dave Rennie in the All Blacks team, what Peter Lakai and Sam Darry will bring, why Codie Taylor was dropped and whether the All Blacks will target Cheslin Kolbe in the air. While Kooks is looking for improvement in the Boks attack,…
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S6 · E7 · 1 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 42 min
Boks (and Airlink) fly high but with little room to spare
Shaun and Thala review the 2nd test of Rugby's Greaterst Rivalry, as South Africa level the series with New Zealand. We discuss what the Boks improved from the first test, as the Springboks attacked well off Cobus Reinach, Cheslin Kolbe couldn't miss with the boot and Malcolm Marx and Eben Etzebeth were heroic in defence. We look at the threat the All Blacks provided in attack and why Tupou Va'ai may need to move to flank. We discuss all the drama surrounding the game as well, including Rassie Erasmus' very late selection changes, Rassie and Dave Rennie debating the reffing of the scrum and…
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S6 · E5 · 25 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 47 min
All Blacks stun stuttering Springboks and Rassie responds with wholesale changes for Cape Town
Shaun and Thala review New Zealand’s victory over South Africa at Ellis Park in the first test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. We first give our flowers to the All Blacks for their ruthlessly efficient attack and resolute defence. We discuss how they dug out of a huge hole in the middle of the game and won the big moments to score 5 tries to win at the end. We also rave on the performances of Jordie Barrett, Tupou Va’ai, Fabian Holland and discuss why Will Jordan’s game was more than just his two tries. We break down what went wrong for South Africa, including Kurt-Lee Arendse’s early injury…
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S6 · E4 · 21 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Celebrating Doogz and Highveld selections: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test 1 preview
Kooks, Shaun and Thala preview the start of the South Africa and New Zealand test series. Rassie Erasmus starts Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Wilco Louw. Damien de Allende starts in his 100th test and we talk about how under appreciated and unselfish he has been. Thala discusses all the Highveld selections Rassie has made for this year. On the All Blacks side, Dave Rennie welcomes back Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Cam Roigard to the team, but there is no room for Patrick Tuipulotu. We discuss what is missing in the All Blacks team and how they’re prepared to run the Boks off their feet. We…
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S6 · E3 · 12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour with Jamie Wall
We welcome Jamie Wall back and talk about the All Blacks and how they have been over the last two games against the Stormers and Sharks plus what we can expect.Kooks and Shaun share a good few laughs with Jamie Wall talking about rugby, the rivalry, where the All Blacks are sitting and how many double brandy and coke's are too many.We look into team selection, talk about the All Black lock stocks and how this set up differs from previous years plus pick a bolter Rennie selection ahead of the opening test.Finally, Jamie expands on why the NZRU selection rulings work, reiterates that the South…
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S6 · E2 · 11 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
Springboks survive determined Pumas and All Blacks left with more questions with Harry Jones
Shaun and Thala are joined by Lekker Rugby Pod’s Harry Jones to break down the weekend’s rugby action. We start with South Africa’s hard fought victory in Buenos Aires again Argentina. We discuss why this was the wake up call the Springboks needed before the All Blacks series, the impressive bench performances from the likes of Zach Porthen and Ben-Jason Dixon and some brilliant games from Santi Carreras and Pablo Matera. We also discuss the possible implications of an injury to Siya Kolisi. We then look at New Zealand starting the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour off with a win against…
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S6 · E1 · 6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 29 min
Siya and Sacha return, strong Stormers to face Beauden & Rieko, Thomas Ramos transfer bombshell
Shaun and Thala preview South Africa's test match against Argentina in Buenos Aries and the start of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour with New Zealand facing the Stormers.The Springboks welcome back some superstars in Kolisi, Etzebeth and Sacha. We discuss why this could be a big game for Canan Moodie and Aphelele Fassi and whether Ben-Jason Dixon is locked into the Boks best 23.The Stormers have selected a strong team to face the All Blacks, with the likes of Evan Roos, Ntutukho Mchunu and Neethling Fouche and some recent Baby Bok graduates in Imad Khan, Yaqeen Ahmed and Wandile Mlaba. They…
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