RugbyBits

Springbok squad reaction, Leon MacDonald leaves the All Blacks, get ready to go to Pau away, Siya Kolisi

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.

PSDT GOAT, Nic White antics and ruthless All Blacks

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.

Rugby Championship Week 2 Preview

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.

Wallaby and All Black annihilation and a look at Bok 23

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

89 RugbyBits Combo's

We are joined by Brett and Harry from the 89 Combo as we look ahead to the opening Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Australia.
 
We look at the Springbok match day 23 and where the Wallabies will look to target and counter act the Springbok strength's

The Antoine Dupont GOAT debate and why Heyneke Meyer can help the Blitzboks

Kooks and Thala wade into the Antoine Dupont goat debate dominating social media after France won the gold in the Olympic Sevens.
Join us as we try to have a balanced discussion about what do we look for in the GOAT debate, why Dupont stands out, his impact on the Sevens and why both sides of the debate need to calm down. We also warn South African fans that this alliance with New Zealand on this debate may come back to bite us!
We then give our flowers to Fiji as they finally lose an Olympics Sevens game. We talk about the strong defence that led to Blitzboks winning bronze. The superstar Ilona Maher is and why Shelly-Ann Fraser Price is watching Sevens now. We finally discuss whether the success of Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith might be great for the Springboks but hurts the Blitzboks.

Springbok TRC Squad Reaction

Thala, Kooks and Shaun unpack the Springbok squad that was announced earlier this week.
 
We look at surprise inclusions, surprise omissions and each pick the one player we want to see play in one or both of the tests vs the Wallabies

Dixon dominates Portugal, Sacha v Libbok and the Bento hype train

Kooks, Shaun and Thala look back on the weekend’s test matches, focusing on South Africa’s victory over Portugal in Bloemfontein.
Shaun as the leader of the Ben Jason Dixon fan club raved about his impressive performance as he filled the big boots of his hyphen brother Pieter-Steph du Toit. We talk about other new Boks that possibly played themselves into the Rugby Championship squad, including Johan Grobelaar and Aphelele Fassi.
Kooks reminds us to get excited and to hype up Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but Shaun and Thala debate about where this leaves Manie Libbok after another unimpressive outing with the kicking tee. We discuss whether the Boks need Ruan Nortje to run their lineouts, the value of Salmaan Moerat and whether Jan-Hendrik Wessels needs to move to another franchise to get game time.
On the Portugal side, Simao Bento has gained fans for life and we talk about how this young Portuguese side will continue to grow in the years to come.
We then look back on a great weekend of Tier 1 v Tier 2 test matches, with Australia v Georgia and Akaki Tabusadze’s 100 meter try being the pick of the bunch. We question how the All Blacks look after their victory over Fiji, are surprised by big wins for Italy and Argentina and look at Warren Gatland’s most erecent attempt to get fired.

Springboks v Portugal preview with Francisco Isaac

Francisco takes us through what to expect from Portugal and explains how this game is on free to air TV in Portugal. The team and fans are looking forward to facing the World Champions.
Francisco breaks down the Springbok backs and explains what to expect with Lukhanyo Am and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Frawley the hero, Sacha the Industry Plant and the unstoppable Mark Tele’a

Kooks, Shaun and Thala review the second weekend of July internationals. We start with the Springboks’ first loss of the season as Ireland level the 2-match series in Durban. Shaun discusses how Ireland took control of the game, Ciaran Frawley’s amazing drop goals and how Ireland seemed to figure out how to attack the Springboks.
On the Boks side, we investigate whether there is reason to panic for the Springboks, how the Tony Brown inspired attack faltered and we reflect on some positives, like Ox Nche and Thala discusses why Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu might be an industry plant.
We then look at the other internationals this week, including why England look like the best side that’s been whitewashed in a series in a while, whether Damian McKenzie passed the flyhalf audition, how exactly you stop Mark Tele’a. We try to discuss what Wales are good at, how Australia are progressing under Joe Schmidt, France’s weak from hell and big movements in the World Rugby rankings.