That Rugby Union Show

This week on That Rugby Union Show , Xola Ntshinga and Simnikiwe Xabanisa unpack another impressive Springbok victory over England before looking ahead to Scotland's challenge in the second Test. The guys discuss the Bok breakdown dominance, the growing injury concerns around key players, and what Rassie's side still needs to improve despite another convincing performance. They also dive i...

Welcome back to That Rugby Union Show — and tonight we’re deep-diving into the chaos that is South African rugby’s new secret weapon:the 15th man… who’s actually already off the field. Yes, the Boks are back in action against Ireland — and after last week’s “14 men is enough” masterclass, Xola and Sim unpack whether South Africa genuinely plays better when someone’s in the changeroom drinking Guin...

The Springboks got it done in Paris — and Xola Ntshinga & Sim Xabanisa break down everything from an emotional, physical, beautifully ugly South Africa vs France showdown. This episode covers: How the Boks controlled the chaos and forced France to play on South Africa’s terms France’s emotional overload — the spy talk, the leaks, the revenge story, and why it all backfired exactly as predicted...

South Africa have done it again. The Springboks retained the Rugby Championship after a nail-biting 29–27 win over Argentina at Twickenham , clinching the title on points difference. Both the Boks and All Blacks finished on 19 log points, but Rassie’s men held their superior +57 margin to keep the crown. Xola and Sim break down every moment from Twickenfontein — no guests, just straight Bok analys...

Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa break down a massive Test week as the Springboks take on France in Paris — loaded with history, emotion and two years of simmering tension. With Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test and Rassie Erasmus’ 50th , the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode: Kolisi’s centurion form France’s spy allegations and leaked team drama Rassie’s mind-games Missing DuPont, Aldritt omission,...

Rugby is entering a new era. Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa unpack SANZAAR’s bold 2026–2030 plan — the pause of The Rugby Championship, the rise of the Nations Cup, and the move toward a global season. Pat Lambie joins the show to reflect on the changes, player safety, and the next evolution of the game. From concussion awareness to the All Blacks’ massive 2026 tour, this episode dives deep into r...

In this episode, Xola Ntshinga speaks with former Springbok flyhalf André Pretorius , who now coaches in Japan’s League One. Pretorius reflects on the toughest lesson of his career — the Test he says he “lost for South Africa” — and how that moment shaped his philosophy as a coach. He shares rare insight into Jake White’s influence , the importance of discomfort in elite rugby, and the emotional i...

This weekend, it’s squeaky bum time for every Bok fan from Bellville to Bloem. The Rugby Championship title hangs in the balance — and all roads lead to Twickenfontein, where the Springboks face Argentina with everything on the line. Xola and Sim, no fluff — just pure Bok brainpower and banter as they break down the final round. 🇿🇦 Boks on the Brink South Africa sit top with 15 points after torchi...

The dust has barely settled — and the Springboks have left Durban smoking. In this post-game breakdown, we unpack everything that mattered from a massive weekend of rugby. 🇿🇦 Boks in Full Beast Mode South Africa smashed Argentina 67–30 , turning a tight first half into a second-half bloodbath. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu made history, scoring 37 points — the most ever by a Bok in a single Test. Trie...

Springbok legend Naas Botha joins That Rugby Union Show to unpack the Boks’ epic win over New Zealand — and what it really means for world rugby. Is this the end of All Blacks dominance… or just a team in transition? In this episode: 🇿🇦 Springboks’ new game plan — why it’s working.🇳🇿 All Blacks in crisis? Naas tells it straight.💰 Rugby’s broken system — why the sport must be run like a billion-do...

This week, the Rugby Championship turned upside down: Boks Smash ABs in Wellington South Africa inflicted New Zealand’s worst ever home defeat, storming to a 43–10 win. Six tries, a second-half demolition, and a historic Springbok statement that left the All Blacks reeling. Pumas Edge Wallabies Argentina shocked Australia 28–26 in Sydney. The Wallabies looked ready to close it out, but Carreras an...

This week on That Rugby Union Show : Eden Park Fortress — The All Blacks extend their streak to 51 unbeaten at Eden Park with a 24–17 win over the Springboks. Narawa and Jordan struck early, Tupaea sealed it, and Robertson’s men defended like demons. Kolisi’s return wasn’t enough to break the Auckland curse. Wallabies vs Pumas Chaos — Angus Bell crashes over in stoppage time to give Australia a dr...

This week we go deep on every angle of the game: Eden Park drama – Ray Mordt joins us to relive his flour-bomb hat-trick from 1981, as the Springboks head back to Auckland with Siya Kolisi returning, Jesse Kriel leading, and Ardie Savea marking his 100th test. Can the Boks finally crack the Eden Park curse? Wallabies vs Pumas – Harry Wilson and Tom Lynagh return to the Aussie lineup, but Carreras...

Join us on That Rugby Union Show as we break down one of the most dismal Springbok performances in recent memory. The Wallabies pulled off a historic comeback in Johannesburg, snapping a 62-year hoodoo with a stunning 38–22 victory. The Boks went from cruising at 22–0 to completely falling apart — six unanswered Aussie tries told the story. We’ll unpack: 🏉 How the Springboks managed to implode af...

The Rugby Championship is here, and the Boks are about to throw down against a Wallaby side packed with muscle, mind games, and 35-year-old flyhalves. In this episode, we go full tilt into Saturday's test in Johannesburg: • Rassie’s early team selection antics – did it work?• Schmidt’s injury chaos and 6–2 bench split bluff• Siya Kolisi picked at No. 8 — why it could work (or blow up)• The Aussie...

This week on That Rugby Union Show , former Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe joins us for a straight-talking, no-frills chat about life in and out of rugby. From a late break into pro rugby and winning Super Rugby with the Bulls to his move to France and now running a rugby club, Flip shares the moments that shaped him. We cover: 🇫🇷 French Rugby’s Rise – why France is setting the global standard....

This week, Springbok legends Akona and Odwa Ndungane join the show for a brutally honest and often hilarious conversation about growing up as twin pros in South African rugby. From being mistaken for each other in the Bulls locker room to weighing in on what the Bok jersey should represent today — the Ndungane brothers bring insight, experience, and a few good chirps. We get into: Life in test rug...

1995 World Cup winner Mark Andrews joinsXola Ntshinga to reflect on rugby’s wildest era, the Natal hard men, and why Italy at Loftus won’t be the walkover you’re expecting. Old-school grit meets modern Bok talk. 🇿🇦 ANDREWS ON ‘95 Madiba, Mehrtens, and mayhem — Mark takes us inside the squad, the mindset, and the madness of South Africa’s first World Cup win. 🇮🇹 BOKS vs ITALY PREVIEW Tshituka gets...

Springbok legend Kobus Wiese joins Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa to talk 1995, Boet Erasmus brawls, and what rugby’s lost in the age of analytics. No fluff. No filter. Just a Bok icon telling it like it is. 🇿🇦 WIESE ON ‘95 Madiba, Morné, and mayhem — Kobus reflects on the World Cup that changed South Africa, and why that punch was worth it. 🧢 BOKS vs BARBARIANS Four uncapped players, one controv...

Rassie drops the squad and Ireland loses its mind over a wink. Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa are joined by former Bok assistant and USA coach Gary Gold to break it all down. 🇿🇦 RASSIE’S PICKS The Bok boss names squads for the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia — who’s missing, who’s lucky, and what it says about 2025. 🌩️ STORMERS STUFFED Dobbo’s men got dismantled. We unpack the Stormers’ collapse: t...

Rugby’s unkillable underdogs are back — and That Rugby Union Show is all over it. 🎙️ Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa are joined by Rory Duncan and Frans Steyn to talk survival, resurrection, and rugby politics — Cheetahs style. 🐆 You Can’t Kill the Cheetahs From near extinction to international ambition, the Cheetahs story isn’t over — it’s just heating up. ⚔️ War Stories from Bloem Duncan on capt...

Rugby’s never off — and neither are we. This week, Xola and Sim break down the headlines that matter: 🦁 Lions Squad Revealed: Maro Itoje takes the captaincy — bold move or just hype? 🦘 Wallaby Wildcards: Joe Schmidt’s calling James O’Connor. Inspired or insane? 🇿🇦 URC Crunch Time: Just two rounds left — who makes the QFs, and who’s hanging by a thread? Plus: Lions snubs, SA’s playoff chances, an...

Rugby’s chaos engine keeps purring — and we’re back to fuel the fire. 🎙️ Xola Ntshinga and Sim Xabanisa are joined by Scarra Ntubeni for big calls, brutal honesty, and URC playoff smoke. 🌩️ Stormers: Make or Break 🏆 European Finals: Why They Still Matter 🚨 Damian Willemse Banned — Fair or Farce? 💸 Bok Ticket Bloodbath 🔁 URC Quarterfinals: Who’s Hot, Who’s Hopeless 💬 Drop us your thoughts — We...

Rugby’s never off — and neither are we. This week on That Rugby Union Show , we pack more heat than a 7–1 bench split. 🎙️ Gurthro Steenkamp joins Xola — Bok centurion, SA Player of the Year, now La Rochelle scrum guru — to break down the French rugby machine from the inside. Should the Boks be worried? 🧠 Simnikiwe Xabanisa returns with flyhalf-level insight and a few spicy takes. Inside the Episo...

Rugby never stops — and neither do we. This week, on That Rugby Union Show , we’re diving into it like a loose forward at a buffet. 🎙️ Xola sits down with Robbie Fleck to unpack UCT Ikeys’ epic Varsity Cup win. How did they pull it off? What’s it mean for SA rugby? We’ve got the man himself — and he’s bringing all the insights. Then, we hit the big leagues… 🐂 BULLS: CHARGE OR CHOKE? • Historic wi...