Front Row Rugby

Flip Van Der Merwe was a Springbok stalwart at the start of the second decade of the 21st century. In an incredible turn of events, the Springbok lock missed out on two World Cups that overlapped with his career, which also coincided with the emergence of all-time Bok greats like Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph Du Toit. In this exclusive interview, Flip opens up about what really happened in those...

Rudolf Straeuli made his Springbok debut against the All Blacks in 1994. Approximately a year later he helped his country win the Rugby World Cup for the first time. Over a period of about 18 months, Straeuli represented the Springboks in 10 Test matches, but he was not always first choice. In this exclusive interview, Rudolf opens up about a very special time in his own life, as well as Springbok...

Akona Ndungane represented the Springboks with distinction from 2006 to 2007. Although his Bok career was a short one, he did help his country win the 2007 Rugby World Cup. In this exclusive interview, Akona shares his highs and lows from a short but impactful Springbok career. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

Johan Ackermann made his Springbok debut in 1996. A combination of injury and a failed anti-doping test wrecked his career. But Johan showed great resilience and was back in the famous green and gold jersey in 2001. Yet again injury struck. Ackermann again showed tremendous courage to fight back and again represented his country in 2006 and 2007. In this exclusive interview, Johan shares his journ...

You've heard the saying "Hulle Weet Nie Wat Ons Weet Nie" and that plays perfectly into the Springbok Siege mentality. Nothing pours fuel onto to South African fire like being the underdog. Similarly South Africans truly spring into action when we feel as if the world hates us. And unwittingly online trolls are fueling this fire. In this episode Peter delves into the South African psyche and expla...

South Africa were kicked out of Super Rugby during Covid-19. This forced SARU to take our franchises north to join what would become the United Rugby Championship, or the URC. And in this episode, shot on location at The Scoin Shop in Bedford Centre, Peter explains exactly how this has proven to be a commercial masterstroke for South African rugby ... and why it will benefit the Springboks in the...

The Springboks have completed a highly successful 2025 where they have made even more history by winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles as well as going five from five on an end-of-year tour for the first time since 1997. Further to that they have also retained the Freedom Cup, Mandela Cup and Qatar Airways as well as making it consecutive unbeaten end-of-year tours for the first time sinc...

South Africa have bid unsuccessfully for the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. World Rugby's own committee even recommended South Africa as the preferred host for 2023 and they still snubbed us. So what will it take for the Springboks to play a Rugby World Cup in front of their own fans again? This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

What if the Springboks could send two teams to the Rugby World Cup? It's a hypothetical question that many fans have asked during this era of Springbok rugby dominance. And in this episode Peter explores that question. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has just signed a new 6-year contract to keep him at the helm until 2031. This should delight Springbok supporters. Rassie has delivered unprecedented success since taking over, including victories at the Rugby World Cup, Rugby Championship, Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup and Qatar Airways Cup. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup has taken place and the Springboks appear to have an easy pool but peril could come in the knockout stage where all the big guns await. In this episode Peter gives his very early predictions for what exactly will happen at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Find out if he thinks the Springboks can become the first team in history to win three Rugby World Cups in a row....

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup has taken place and the Springboks can feel satisfied with their draw ... at least as far as their pool is concerned. But danger lurks in the quarter-finals ... perhaps! This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw is set to take place in just a couple of days, and the Springboks are ready. But the Springboks might also prefer to avoid certain nations in their pool ... like host nation Australia, for example. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

The Springboks signed off for 2025 with a crushing win over Wales in Cardiff. Yes, the Welsh were significantly weakened by having to make 13 changes, but the Springboks still blew them away 73-0. In this episode Peter details his top five takeaways from this crushing defeat. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel.

The Springboks finish their end-of-year tour against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. This Test takes place outside the Test window meaning both sides have made a plethora of changes. But whereas the Springboks still have several Rugby World Cup winners in their ranks, the Welsh have made 13 changes which unfortunately significantly weakens their team. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby...

Springbok super critic Matt Williams appears to have changed his tune. The former Scotland coach is now full of praise for the Springboks. And in this episode Peter details this stunning turnaround. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel Patreon

The Springboks have won in Dublin for the first time since 2012. The world champions proving too strong for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium 24-13. In this episode Peter details the top five things he noticed in this latest Springbok victory. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel Patreon

The Springboks meet Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in one of the sport's greatest grudge matches. The Springboks have experienced unprecedented success winning each of the last two Rugby World Cup, the two most recent editions of the Rugby Championship. They also hold the Freedom Cup, Mandela Plate, Qatar Airways Cup and are on course for a second straight unbeaten end-of-year tour. Standing in the...

Veteran rugby writer Stephen Jones has come out with an awful take claiming that "no one ever lifted a finger" to help Argentine rugby. Well that's not true. South Africa have done plenty to help Argentina. The Springboks and Los Pumas are basically brothers. And in this episode Peter destroys this terrible take from Stephen Jones. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel P...

The 2026 Springbok fixtures are out! And here's your opportunity to get a first look at who we are playing, when and where. Peter takes you on a journey in this episode to the Bok matches for 2026 plus he explains why the games are structured the way they are in light of a brand new competition - the Nations Championship! This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel Patreon

The Springboks defeated Italy 32-14 despite some shocking refereeing decisions. In this episode Peter picks his top five takeaways after this latest Springbok victory. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel Patreon

Naka Bulls are the Gold Cup champions. That makes them the champion club team in South Africa. But away from the glory lies an uncomfortable truth about the daily battles facing South African rugby clubs. In this episode, Peter is joined by Naka Bulls Director of Rugby Marinus Van Der Watt to talk about the highs, the lows, the challenges and potential solutions. Warning: The big boys in the suite...

Six Nations champions France are baying for Springbok blood! The French host the world champion Springboks at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night in a 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Many in France still feel their team were unlucky to lose to South Africa that night. Now on the occasion of Siya Kolisi's 100th Test match and Rassie Erasmus's 50th Test in charge of the Springboks, th...

Samoa, Namibia, Belgium and Brazil are gathering in Dubai for the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament. The winner will join the Springboks and 22 other teams in Australia in two years' time. Ahead of the first round of matches, Peter previews the tournament and shares what he thinks will happen. This podcast originates from the Front Row Rugby YouTube Channel Patreon

The Springboks are on a hot streak against their greatest rivals, the All Blacks. Some in New Zealand are panicking about what the future might hold. In this episode Peter looks at what South Africa is doing right and where the kiwis are falling short .. and importantly, asks the question: What if the Springboks NEVER lose to the All Blacks ever again? This podcast originates from the Front Row Ru...