Elite Rugby Banter
Episodes
Episode 308: The Dezemba Episode
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the festive season, which is when we find out who has been naughty or nice, or in ERB's world which teams had good years, average years, and a se...
Episode 307: Cards, Scrums & Dream Teams - Dissecting a Dublin Demolition
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Strap in for a bumper episode of Elite Rugby Banter as Ant and Phil break down a truly bizarre and brutal Test match in Dublin. The Springboks were un...
Episode 306: Dwilly Deals, Moodie Misses, and the All Blacks Blame Game
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Elite Rugby Banter, we unpack a weekend of rugby that felt like it was scripted by a mischievous referee with a flair for theatre. The Bo...
Episode 305: Siya Later, France (or, NH Whining, SH Dining)
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If French rugby is fine wine, the Boks uncorked it, chugged it straight from the bottle, and smashed the glass on the way out. The Springboks hav...
Episode 304: Ox Out, Lambie In?
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tadgh Beirne’s red card lit the fuse this weekend, and while most of us were still debating intent versus accident, BBBB was already pledging his un...
Episode 303: Blue Balls - JHW is early for Movember
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are 5 weeks into the URC and have 5 weeks of Springboks rugby ahead - it's the perfect time for a stock take. Do the Boks have what it takes to go ...
Episode 302: Rugby Champs Report Cards!
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a brief review of the URC second round and the last of the Rugby Champs (Bokke back to back!), each of our four regulars delivers the end-of-ter...
Episode 301: WTF was the Bok Game?!?!?!
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Strap in for a chaotic episode as Phil, Ant, and Rich attempt to analyse the un-analysable. The Springboks' win over Argentina had everything: 97 poin...
Episode 300: Lions Kicked into the Bottomless Pit
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Dick blows the whistle on the TRC’s scheduling shenanigans, accusing them of high tackle interference with the Women’s RWC and AFL fina...
Episode 299: Razor out, Gatland in!
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What a weekend of rugby... The Wallabies and Argentina got our morning's off to a great start with a highly entertaining clash, followed up by what wa...
Episode 298: Eden Park Remains a Fortress
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rain and the ref seem to be common excuses going around the South African water coolers this week, but in all honesty the Boks had only themselves to ...
Episode 297: Springbok Women Shatter their Ceiling
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aseza Hele, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Nadine Roos, Nolusindiso Booi... A special generation of Springbok women have made history with a first ever ap...
Episode 296: McReight with a Side of Tries
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well, nobody saw that coming. The Springboks spontaneously combusted as the Wallabies ran in wonder try after wonder try at Ellis Park to take a famou...
Episode 295: Is this the Best Lions Side of all time?
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Short answer, no. The consensus is that even Ireland is better than the B&I Lions. The real question is Argentina better than the Lions? They beat the...
Episode 294: Big Props to Georgia
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Boks have wrapped up their on-field preparations for the Rugby Championship with a testing but worthy win over the physical Georgians. All that re...
Episode 293: Adam hates the Lions
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
OG Adam is back for a guest appearance this week and drops a few hot takes for good measure. Is Henco van Wyk the Marco van Staden of centres? We're n...
Episode 292: Poles Apart
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do Steve and Mike Wosniak have in common? Well, it's not rugby as we find out in this mythbusting ERB episode. There was a lot of rugby to cover ...
Episode 291 -TshiTWOka at the double
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Boks sent the BaaBaas packing but not without a few boxes of South African wine. Rassie started the season doing Rassie things with Esterhuizen pl...
Episode 290 -Test match rugby is back! (Kind of)
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 (...
Episode 289: Jaden has a Little Winky
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the pressure cooker (kicker?) of Kingsmead to the doldrums of Scotstoun and the predictable fortresses of Loftus and the Aviva, the URC quarter f...
Episode 288: We're back like Elliot Daly in a Lions jersey
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Ep 287: Is Henco Van Wyk the next Bok Hooker?
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 286: Gatland's Gone, England Won and Super Rugby Pacific is Back
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 reuni...
Episode 285: Ant's Rants & Other Goodies
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Sou...
Episode 284: Running on Cole
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 #Ju...
Episode 283: Southern Hemisphere > Cunningham-South?
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 282: Is Ali-Price Right? (or what was his nickname?)
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Tele...
Episode 281: Kriel intentions?
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 280: Eben Ysterbeth - a GOAT in our time
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 adm...
Episode 279: Throwing good Manie after bad
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 278: Junior Boks not Boca Juniors
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 travel...
Episode 277: The Long Walk to Freedom Cup
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 276: Springboks topple the All Blacks but it's all to play for in Cape Town
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 275: The one not sponsored by Kristen's Kick-Ass Ice Cream
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 274: Boks bash the Wallabies in the wet
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 272: Sacha - the Wizard of Oz
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 271: Peri-peri Portugal
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 mon...
Episode 270 -No kudus for Ciaran Frawley
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 concus...
Episode 269 - France spoils the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Party!
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Episode 268: Is Zane Kirchner the answer to Ireland’s fullback conundrum?
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 wome...
Episode 267: Our Blood Shifts from Blue to Green...but also Black?
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 bein...
Episode 266: Ant risks his Life for the Pod!
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 265: We're All Bulls Fans Now
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fan...
Episode 264: The Sharks are the big fish in a small pond
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ant comes out firing on the back of his beloved Sharks victory in the hitherto unheralded European Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, pod guest Dick Taylor hel...
Episode 263: Siya Masuku > Phil Hornsby > Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 262: Another two-man blitz
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Episode 261 - The one where we cover all of the rugby
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Episode 260 - The Two-Man Power Trip Take on All Comers
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Episode 259 - The Long Awaited One
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
Episode 258:Not quite a eulogy for the Sharks
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fo...
Episode 257: Bokke on the Blitz, Sharks are on the fritz
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Episode 256: The URC - The Unrelated Rugby Content
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ret...
Episode 255: We are the Champions...Again as the Springboks overcome the All Blacks
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
Episode 254: It's the Big One!
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 he...
Episode 253: Putting the "finals" in Quarter Finals
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Tes...
Episode 252: The Quarter Finals - the closest ever?
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Worl...
Ep 251: There are only four good coaches at the World Cup
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The second last round of pool games is over, leaving some interesting permutations for the knockouts. Who between the tournament underperformers Argen...
Episode 250 - Round 3: Nuke squad fails to launch
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. Ot...
Episode 249 - Round 2: The Boys in Bordeaux
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 moa...
Episode 248 - Travel Man: 48 Hours in Bordeaux with Ant & Phil
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 C...
Episode 247 - The Official Elite Rugby Banter World Cup Preview Podcast
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 suc...
Episode 246 - Bok Blackout
26 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 produc...
Episode 245 - It's nearly Spring(boks RWC defence)!
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Springboks overran minnows Wales while the English tackle technique is proving contagious. Eddie "Indiana" Jones has bigger fish to French fry and...
Episode 244: The Controversial One
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 W...
Episode 243 - Springbok Squad reaction - Andrew is going to the World Cup!
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Episode 242 - Scotland overpower World Cup hosts and favourites in shock victory!
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, Argentin...
Episode 241 - For Whom Gus Bell Tolls
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Episode 240 - Dual Pocket Rockets and Show Me The Manie
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Episode 239 - Bok (shock?) Therapy
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Episode 237: The Boks (B-team) are back, but will Eddie be ready?
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're back to a full front row complement and we're excited as we discuss Rugby World Cup fashion, preview the Bok team for the first round of The Rug...
Episode 236: We are (not) the Champions!
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ant and Phil dissect the latest rugby happenings in Andrew's skeptical sickness-enforced absence including a thrilling URC final where Andrew's belove...
Episode 235: Last Rounds for the South African teams in the URC
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The cards are put on the Tafel as the team pick their playoff contenders in the URC, Heineken Champions Cup, and Challengers Cup. Will Leinster withst...
Episode 234: Bulls have got the blues
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
History is made as the pod panel assembles in person for the first time, which is one more than Italy's Six Nations victories, Tuks' Varsity Cup wins,...
Episode 233: Irish men can't finish
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have a listen to find out how bird jizz is actually really useful, why Irish men can't finish, why Len Ikitau is (not) the world's best 13, if Ollie L...
Episode 232: Is Joburg just a suburb in Wales?
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will the 6 Nations be celebrated with Guinness or champagne? Will the ale be fresh out the tap or will there be a whisky hangover? And what of a pairi...
Episode 231: The ERB End of Year Recap
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We review each of the 12 top-ranked men's international sides and their performances in 2022 with an eye to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Gats and Borth...
Episode 230: THIS was the Boks week!
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Boks put the English pretenders to the sword as Phil and Ant discuss the emphatic victory while checking in on Wales and Australia attempting to h...
Episode 229: World Rugby got it Wrong!
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
No, they're not talking about the decision to ban Rassie from social media, but rather the exclusion of a certain Southern Hemisphere duo from the off...
Episode 228: This week is the Boks' week. Surely. We promise
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another week, another close defeat for the Springboks on tour. The disappointed yet still hopeful panel closes out the Women's Rugby World Cup, does t...
Episode 227: God Damian: Penaud and McKenzie >> De Allende and Willemse
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ant, Phil, and Andrew review the bumper weekend of international rugby, covering the semifinals of the Women's Rugby World Cup (which year is it?), th...
Episode 226: 2 Man Speed Special
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With so much to cover, Phil and Ant ditch Andrew to fly through the various goings-on from the last week in the world of rugby, including, but not lim...
Episode 225: Conspiri-Sea
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Phil shits on Bafana Bafana, NZRU are more All Blacks than Black Ferns, Jack Dempsey is not Scottish (and does Charles Piutau have tattoos?), and a UR...
Episode 224: Of contracts and (not so) subtle product placements
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
World Cup heartbreak, Jantjies yanked, and Ant calls Evan Roos a flat track bully (but not to his face). Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
Episode 223: Ant on a Lake, and some other rugby things...
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ant makes a welcome return to the pod as the team discusses whether Steven Kitshoff is better off assimilating with other redheads through his current...
Episode 222: The Host With The Most - Adam's Return
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Adam, Phil, and Andrew dissect the latest round of United Rugby Championship action and preview what lies in store for the Springbok Women at the Rugb...
Episode 221: Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Phil and Andy run the rule over the last round of the Rugby Championship and the second round of the URC, and end by selecting their Team of the Tourn...
Episode 220: Death, taxes, and French refs causing controversy
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The team dissect the tribulations of the Sevens World Cup while paying tribute to Neil Powell, debate the Bleddy ref, and waste time on disclaimers at...
Episode 219: With Mitch from across the (very big) ditch
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The team, assisted by our Aussie correspondent, discusses the mixed results from the SA vs Aus series, selection issues, and whether Elton Jantjies i...
Episode 218: Is Canan Able?
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The pod team looks over some of the interesting selections for the week. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
Episode 217: All Black clouds ahead
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The only thing standing between us and a lot of humble pie, was the plethora of "buts" we threw out last week. Who was the real villain of the week, P...
Episode 216: Nienaber doesn’t get full Marx
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another week another Springbok lineup. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
Episode 215: Post-Springbok Loss Blues: A Therapy Session
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So the Boks lost, the world is coming to an end and you are welcome to join us for the post-mortem. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.
Episode 214: Springboks draw first blood as Foster stares into abyss
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following a fine victory by the Springboks over the All Blacks at Mbombela Stadium, the Young Guns are joined by Adam (who still doesn't listen *sigh*...
Episode 213: The 2022 Rugby Championship Preview
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Young Guns are back and are joined by Matt. Join them as they chat about the opening round of this year's Rugby Championship. Music by ...
Episode 212: It's not a B-team, it's an alternative lineup
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
And we're back, with a batch of familiarish and not so familiarish faces. Join Ant, Phil, and Andrew as they dive deep into the mid-year Rugby Interna...
A Special Goodbye Episode
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Elite Rugby Banter, we say goodbye to Alex, who passed away in March 2022. Matt, Ben, Ant, Phil, and Adam speak about their...
Episode 211: That's a Wrap on 2021
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Ben, Adam, and Matt as they look back at 2021's rugby highlights and lowlights.
Episode 210: It's festive season we can do a short one
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Ben, Alex, and Matt as they phone in yet another episode where they talk about rugby, and stuff, and more stuff. Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Sh...
Episode 209: You get what you get, frog and all
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Well, this was a bad recording. Sorry everyone we'll do better next week hopefully. Join Ben and Matt as they try to discuss the latest and not that...
Episode 208: Sweep the leg and Rassie vibes
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The gang our in the house as they discuss tripping children, the latest news including Rassie's ban, the Northern Hemisphere's apparent supremacy *sni...