RugbyBits

Kooks, Shaun and Thala react to the South African squad selected for the clash against Italy this weekend.We discuss how seriously the Boks are taking the Nations Championship, as Rassie Erasmus selects a full strength side for an Italy team battling with injuries. We discuss why Salmaan Moerat has been selected, despite not playing a lot of rugby recently and which of the debutants are likely to be selected for later tests. We discuss why this is a massive November for Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who needs to secure that 16 shirt and debate the inclusion of Markus Muller in the wider squad.We then look at all the other Nations Championship teams and deliver hot takes about what to expect from them this November. We discuss why Ireland v Argentina is a must-win for both sides and whether Ireland can fix their scrum issues and what Shaun Edwards can add to Argentina. We debate if Scotland can finally get their first win against a New Zealand team battling with injuries. We look at the significance of the Wales v Japan game with both teams eyeing a win in this game. France with their injury list will be weary of Fiji and the pragmatism that Jake White can add to them. Finally England and Australia face each other on Sunday and both teams are looking to get their seasons back on track after some bad losses.We finally review the URC performances of the South African sides and the Springbok Women’s loss against Ireland.

Shaun and Thala review an emotional weekend of rugby.We start with the sad passing of Hyron Andrews in France and discuss the Lions’ decision to continue with the game against La Rochelle. While La Rochelle commemorated the passing in a beautiful manner, the Lions played bravely under the circumstances in their loss to La Rochelle.The Bulls and the Stormers had big wins against Stade Francais and Bristol respectively. Cheswill Jooste and Seabelo Senatla impressed in these bonus point wins. In the Challenge Cup, the young Sharks defeated Lyon, while the Cheetahs lost to a last minute try by Herschel Jantjies for Bayonne.In the rest of the Champions Cup, we discuss Toulouse surviving a scare against Exeter after an early full red card to Rodrigue Neti and injuries to their midfield, Henry Slade missed the last minute penalty to level the score. Gloucester and Bordeaux drew the opening game with Jac Morgan and Tom Willis impressing. Bath suffered a loss at home to Montpellier after some senior Scotland players Ali Price, Adam Hastings and Stuart Hogg all starred. And a generally bad weekend for the English Prem sides in Europe.In international rugby, Canada ended the 4-year, 41-game winning streak of the Red Roses with a 24-21 win in Toronto and we discuss what that may mean for women’s rugby. Meanwhile the Wallabies got thrashed by the All Blacks again in Bledisloe 2.

Shaun and Thala review round 2 of the United Rugby Championship where the South African teams won 2 out of 4 games.We start with the Sharks beating Leinster through a strong defensive performance, Thomas du Toit putting the screws of Thomas Clarkson and Siphosethu Mnebelele impressing. The Lions maul and scrum secured their victory over Ospreys, with Francke Horn leading the charge and Erich Cronje maintaining his insane form.In Europe, the Stormers lineout faltered in their loss to Edinburgh, but they are looking forward to a host of Springboks rejoining them. The Bulls lost to Munster with young Charlie O’Shea impressing on debut.The Springbok Women continued their winning run with a 20-0 victory in Spain.Finally in other news, we review the crazy last 10 minutes of the Ulster and Glasgow draw, Louis Rees-Zammit trolling Northampton in Bristol’s win over Bath, the Force winning the (fraud) Super Rugby AU, Shaun hating on Paul Costes and Brendan Venter’s new role as a wine consultant for Saracens (maybe he should help with their attack).

Kooks and Thala review a crazy weekend of rugby with great weekends for the Springbok Women and the South African URC teams, but a loss for the Springboks in Perth.We first look at the Springbok loss an discuss what the Wallabies did so well to get a 42-17 lead, and the craziness of the last 15 minutes with TMO drama and the Boks making a furious comeback. While the likes of Ryan Lonergan and Max Jorgensen shone, there is no reason to panic for Springbok fans as some second string players got valuable experience.We then review a good weekend for the South African URC teams as they won 4 out of 4. Impressive performances from the likes of Luan Giliomee, Jonathan Roche and Erich Cronje stood out.Finally another chaotic weekend in the WXV, which saw South Africa make amends for their loss to Wales with a great win against Italy and England winning against New Zealand in the very last minute.

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 is also not happy about the Springboks being made to play on a Sunday.Onto the URC and we preview the hopes for the South African URC sides. We discuss the Galactico signings the Stormers have made and why Riley Norton could be a key player for them; for the Lions we discuss if a settled squad with Boan Venter added can repeat the run into the playoffs they had last season; for the Sharks its about getting the rebuild going and seeing how youngsters like Vusi Moyo come through and we debate if the Bulls signings can take them the next step forward and what Curwin Bosch adds as a backup flyhalf.We wrap up with celebrating Canada for ending the Red Roses' streak, the lessons for the Springbok Women in Wales, a chaotic game between France and Australia and Henry Pollock's contract extension.

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

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.

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, Thala looks forward to a massive ruck battle on Saturday.The Springbok Women play one of their biggest ever home matches against the Black Ferns in the first game of the double header, but Swys de Bruin has left the Springbok Women’s head coach role. We discuss the possible destabilizing factor that might be, but also look forward to how the Boks can repeat the heroics of last year’s World Cup quarterfinal.We also briefly discuss the 2nd test in Australia’s tour of Argentina, the start of the Top 14 season, James Slipper having one more year in him and debate Airlink-gate.

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 the VERY low Airlink fly over Cape Town Stadium.We also review Australia's victory over Argentina in the first test and look forward to the upcoming Bok Women and Black Ferns test match and the start of the Top 14 season. Finally, the RugbyBits crew finally all had a drink together on Friday, featuring Victor Matfield.

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.