THE EPISODES
Ep. 31
A real conversation with Siya Kolisi
The renowned rugby figure and two-time Springbok Rugby World Cup champion, Mr. Siya Kolisi, graces the Behind the Ruck studio with his presence, offering Ruckers an exclusive peek behind the scenes. As former teammates and friends, we delve into Siya's experiences since relocating to France and gain some more insight on his life.
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Ep. 68
Cheslin Kolbe Reveals the Secrets Behind His Legendary Sidestep and 1st Springbok Call-up
In this electrifying episode of Behind the Ruck, we’re honored to sit down with none other than Cheslin Kolbe! 🌟 From the dusty fields of South Africa to the grand stadiums of France and Japan, Cheslin’s story is one of pure heart, resilience, and relentless passion for rugby. Hear him relive the pivotal moment he first laced up for the Springboks, and the blood, sweat, and tears that shaped his journey there. 💚💛
He lets us in on the secrets behind his jaw-dropping sidestep, the intense conditioning that keeps him unstoppable, and the rugby heroes who inspired him to chase his dreams. Cheslin also shares the moving story behind the Kolbe Foundation, a project close to his heart, dedicated to turning obstacles into powerful motivators for others.
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Ep. 67
From Springbok Coach to URC Champion: Franco Smith's Rugby Journey
In this episode of Behind the Ruck, we welcome Franco Smith, the former Springbok backline coach, for an in-depth conversation about his incredible journey in rugby. Franco shares his experiences as both a player and a coach, detailing his path from the pitch to the sidelines. With an impressive coaching career spanning over 1,000 games, he talks about his successes with the Cheetahs and his latest triumph, leading Glasgow to victory in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Franco opens up about life in Scotland, reflecting on his experiences in the rugby community there and how it’s influenced his coaching philosophy. Known for his adaptive and player-focused style, he discusses how he brings structure and coaches teams with high expectations!
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Ep. 66
Aphelele Fassi on Missing Out on the Springboks, His Return to Form, and Advice for Youngsters
In this episode of Behind the Ruck, we’re joined by the electrifying Aphelele Fassi, who opens up about his journey of bouncing back after being left out of the Springboks squad. He shares how he's returned to the form of his life and what it takes to perform at the highest level. 🏉🔥
Fassi also gives us insights into the URC with the Sharks, discussing the team's challenges and goals for the season. He offers a rare glimpse into what it's like within the Springbok setup and leaves some valuable advice for young players aspiring to make it in the industry. 🏆
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Ep. 65
Ashley Johnson on Life After Wasps & His Coaching Secrets Revealed
In this week's episode of Behind the Ruck, we're joined by the legendary Ashley Johnson! He shares his experiences as a player at the Cheetahs, reflects on earning numerous caps with the Wasps, and talks about his transition into coaching—giving us insight into the kind of defense coach he’s become.
The episode wraps up with Juan and Rudy discussing the latest URC results and fixtures, highlighting a few young stars to watch out for as they knock on the door for a Springbok call-up ahead of the November tour.
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Ep. 64
Berrick Barnes on His SHOCK World Cup Call-Up & Career Reflections
In this can't-miss episode of Behind the Ruck, we’re joined by Berrick Barnes, who shares the dramatic story of being at the World Cup but not selected to play—only to get called up later! Berrick reflects on his journey through the highs and lows of his rugby career and opens up about his latest venture into podcasting.
We’re also joined by Gio Aplon, who provides expert analysis of the Springboks' performance in the Rugby Championship, highlighting the standout players that made an impact. Get ready for a deep dive into the world of international rugby with two legends of the game!
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Ep. 63
Backing Manie Libbok & Rugby Tactics with Swys de Bruin
In this special episode of Behind the Ruck, we sit down with the legendary Swys de Bruin! Known for his sharp rugby mind, Swys shares his thoughts on backing Manie Libbok, delves into the tactical approaches that shaped his coaching career, and reflects on his current role as the head coach of the Springbok Women’s team. Beyond rugby, Swys imparts life lessons and insights that are sure to inspire. Tune in for a masterclass in coaching and leadership from one of South Africa’s finest!
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Ep. 62
Tonderai Chavhanga: The Speedster Talks Springbok Record & Builds Up to Currie Cup Final!
This week on Behind the Ruck, we’re joined by none other than the lightning-fast Tonderai Chavhanga! ⚡🏉 Known for holding the record for the most tries scored in a single test match for the Springboks, Tonderai’s speed on the field is matched only by his sharp insights off it.
We’ll also be building up momentum as we head toward the highly anticipated Currie Cup Final, with Tonderai giving us his expert take on what to expect! 🎙️🏆
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Ep. 61
Matthew Pearce: The Voice of Rugby Shares Insights on Commentating, Springboks, and his Career!
In this episode of Behind the Ruck, we are joined by the legendary Matthew Pearce, often hailed as the voice of rugby! 🎙️ With a career spanning decades, Matthew shares his incredible journey into the world of rugby commentating, his favorite memories from the booth, and his unmatched knowledge of the game. 🏉
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Ep. 60
Brad Weber on the Haka Controversy and Life After the All Blacks | Behind the Ruck
In this episode of Behind the Ruck, we’re joined by Brad Weber, former All Black and current rugby star playing in France! 🇫🇷🏉 Brad dives deep into the recent controversy surrounding the Haka, sharing his thoughts on its cultural significance and what it truly means to perform this powerful tradition. 🖤🤍
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Ep. 59
Lima Sopoaga on THAT Backward Kick & The Intense SA vs NZ Rivalry!
Join us on this episode of Behind the Ruck as we sit down with former All Black star Lima Sopoaga! 🏉 Lima dives into the story behind his infamous backward kick that had everyone talking, reflects on his memorable days at the Highlanders, and takes us into the heart of the fierce South Africa vs. New Zealand rivalry. From epic on-field battles to behind-the-scenes insights, this is a must-watch for every rugby fan.
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Ep. 58
Tony Brown Speaks on The Springboks vs All Blacks Rivalry as well as His Legendary Rugby Career!
This week, we’re excited to have Tony Brown join us to dive into the Springboks vs All Blacks rivalry, offering his expert insights on attack vs defense and reflecting on his career as a player and coach. We’ll also touch on the recent Springboks vs Wallabies game, the Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya fight, and share our experiences from Perth. Don’t miss out on this action-packed episode filled with rugby talk and exciting updates! #podcast #rugbychampionship
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