Episode 254: It's the Big One!

·1 hr 23 min·5 clips

South Africa defends its Rugby World Cup title this weekend against New Zealand in a historic final.

Phil, Andrew, and Ant open the episode celebrating South Africa's Rugby World Cup title defense and setting up the final against New Zealand. They share personal viewing experiences from the semifinals, with Andrew in a remote pub and Ant at a braai with brandy and Springbok shots. The hosts then review the URC opening weekend, discussing the Stormers' narrow win over the Lions, the Sharks' loss to Munster, and the Bulls' dominant victory over the Scarlets. They analyze individual performances, fantasy draft impacts, and injuries like Salmaan Moerat's. The conversation shifts to the Rugby World Cup semifinals, critiquing New Zealand's win over Argentina and Will Jordan's hat-trick tying Brian Habana's record. A detailed breakdown of South Africa's stressful win over England follows, focusing on Ox Nche's scrum dominance, halftime substitutions, and tactical errors. The hosts debate selection for the final, considering weather forecasts, player fatigue, and potential changes like starting Andre Pollard or using a 6-2 split. They also touch on controversies like Bongi Mbonambi's alleged racial slur and Willie le Roux's post-match behavior. Predictions for the third-place playoff and final are made, with all three backing the Springboks to win in a close match.

As heard by us

A tense, tactical finals-week listen, with pub nerves and Springbok selection questions carrying the road to the World Cup final.

Elite Rugby Banter moves into finals week with the Springboks having fought back to keep their Rugby World Cup defence alive, New Zealand past Argentina, and the looming final cast as a story four years in the making.

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Why you'd press play

You can feel finals-week nerves before the Springboks-New Zealand preview even settles into tactics.

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