Episodes

  • Autumn Nations Series Part 2 - World Player of the Year, best player debates, another Haka brouhaha
    Nov 1 2024

    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.

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    45 mins
  • Autumn Nations Series Part 1 - All Blacks and England under pressure, Gatland and Townsend on the hot seat?
    Nov 1 2024

    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

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Sharks and Stormers are back, apologies to Ulster fans and unsurprising Bok EOYT squad
    Oct 23 2024

    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.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • URC Tier List, Kolisi the hero and Squidge losing the streets
    Oct 15 2024

    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.

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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • The Rugby Championship with Jared Wright
    Oct 2 2024

    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

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    53 mins
  • The Argentina Blues, Manie Ride or Die and The Springbok Squad
    Sep 24 2024

    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

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    44 mins
  • Springboks, Bledisloe Cup and the Currie Cup
    Sep 18 2024

    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

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Unpacking The NZ Tour
    Sep 9 2024

    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'

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    1 hr and 38 mins