Elite Rugby Banter

Got to love the End of Year Tours hey? Ireland are probably the best rugby team on the planet now, while the Boks got another notch on the old belt with a hard earned win in Scotland. Adam, Alex, Matt and Ben run the rule over the weekend's action. Adam's attempt at a Irish-themed greeting goes down in flames, while temperatures rise talking about Willie le Roux's yellow card. Also, Ben doubles down on his dislike of the Welsh while Matt hopes the Bulls don't poach Deon Davids as their new coach. Thanks for listening as always :) Music from bensound.com.

It's opposite day in the ERB Universe: Farrell can tackle legally, Beauden can drop kick, Pollard doesn't miss touch and is 7/7, Springboks actually win and Russia beat Namibia (!). Ben, Matt, Alex and Adam are here to take you through the weekend's rugby (in their own unique way), with Ben remarking on his expat status, Matt doesn't know what to do about Argentina's scrum being punished, Alex wondering aloud about Faf's poor performance while Adam doesn't like the fact he represents all of Gauteng. Music from bensound.com.

Well, that was awful wasn't it? Anger is the golden thread that hovers over this week's show as Ben, Matt, Alex and Adam get angry, rage and between it all, dissect how South Africa threw away an easy-to-attain victory against England and Owen Farrell's shoulder. Yes, Angus Gardner pawned it, but he isn't why South Africa lost. It's a long story. They also discuss New Zealand's depth, Joe Schmidt's family life, the joke and truly awful quality of Supersport's English commentary and the other international rugby to have taken place over the weekend. Music from bensound.com.

Matt takes the wheel and is joined by Alex, Ben and Ant (Adam didn't realise how long it takes to move back into a flat). They discuss what little news there is (Hansen cracks the nod once more), Japan's match against a heat World XV (on paper anyway), Ant is chuffed the Saaks won their first Currie Cup since 2013 and then their attention is turned to the Springbok squad for the End of Year Tour (so many locks...so little time). Also, how did Louis Schreuder crack the nod? Music from bensound.com.

We made it guys. ERB does its 50th episode (we didn't think we would make it this far) with Adam, sighing at his old age (he's not even 33), joined by Alex, Ben and Matt in chatting about issues at the Border Rugby Union, hammocks, the SWD Eagles claiming the Currie Cup 1st Division title, and Matt Todd being the King of the Under The Radar Zone and his recall's impact on New Zealand. The gang then delve into the Currie Cup semi-finals and end off by talking about life on the ERB podcast. If you have made it this far, thank you for listening! Music from bensound.com.

Matt, in true "Not too bad" fashion, steps in for Adam this week - who got zugzwanged by a long meeting - and is joined by Alex and Ben to discuss Cheslin Kolbe's ridicolous step, why it is never a try till its a try (get Burned?), Currie Cup action including Province getting it done in 40 mins at Loftus (aka Adam's true home), along with the All Blacks EOYT squad and the much awaited inaugural Scrum of the Week feature, among other topics. That's Matt driving the show...we are very literal here at ERB at times. Music from bensound.com.

The gang return (and apologies for the late upload...) to chat about Rassie's men bottling it in Pretoria, whether this is actually a good thing, Michael Cheika rising from the Ashes, and in arguably one of our finest analytical diatribes yet, break down each side's Rugby Championship performance. In the midst of it all, Ben comes out strongly against the entire concept of Wales (aka Narnia), Matt looks forward to a Scrum of a Week feature, Alex looks at Brighton 2015: The Movie, and to everyone's surprise, no one makes fun of Adam for going to Loftus. Missed opportunity? Also, Adam walked behind Jamba Ulengo for a while. He's big. Music from bensound.com.

Matt takes the wheel as he is joined by Ben and Alex - with Adam arriving somewhat late - as they discuss the travails of Eastern Cape rugby, the card system, a bit of Currie Cup and the Sunwolves coaching regime. Attention is then turned to the All Blacks standard win over Argentina, Steve Hansen, Port Elizabeth and the Springboks defending their way to victory for the second match in a row. Adam is also accused of being a Bulls fan, which upsets him (again). Music from bensound.com

The gang, minus Ben, are back in a week with no international rugby. What are they to do? Thankfully, there is much to discuss! From Pro 14 to Currie Cup to long weekends to New Zealand contracts to Eddie Jones to Bokke squads, Alex, Matt and Adam chat all things rugby, ending off, to Adam's delight, on Band of Brothers after being denied last week. Music from bensound.com.

All is right in the world. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Rugby is great hey? The gang chat about South Africa's epic, narrative-defining win over New Zealand, Argentina giving Israel Folau a chance to make himself look like an ass, World Rugby going bust, the World Cup getting bigger and a few other bits and bobs. Also, we went for home team by 7 in our SuperBru. We got too excited. Music from bensound.com and all music featured, we do not own the rights too.

The gang are back for one of their best episodes yet. Like seriously. Someone's hungover, someone else is chilled (guess who...), two people rant and in between it all, some rugby is discussed. Topics covered include Jesse Kriel's hypnotizing biceps, Ben Smith (standard), Argentina looking good in defeat, Pro 14, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and issues facing the Springboks, including our poor-ass midfield. Enjoy! Music from bensound.com.

The four horseman of the ruck are back and with a running order! Amidst some commotion as Adam gets a mattress delivered, the gang chat about dog toilets, SA's soon-to-be-shrinking player pool, the NFL combine, the coming weekend's Rugby Championship fixtures and in a new feature, talk about what came up on their WhatsApp group. This week: The Springbok Office. Music from bensound.com.

Ben, Matt and Adam, with Ant graciously filling in for Alex, deconstruct the meaning of Namibia pulling out of the Currie Cup First Division, the nature of Ben's tartan suit, the pros and lack of cons of Ben Smith, and dissect (to a degree) the Boks' woeful performance against Argentina. Can we just give the All Blacks the trophy already? Music from bensound.com. Catch us on Soundcloud, iTunes and acast.

The gang return to sing the name, "Brodie Retallick!" Anyone who throws mad dummies like him will have his name remembered. Much is made of Namibia qualifying for the World Cup while okes (bar Adam) stick the boot into Handre Pollard for his poor kicking. Music from bensound.com.

It's a full house at ERB HQ, with the Currie Cup and Rugby Championship the topic of the day's discussions. Amidst it all, Matt corrects Adam about how to pronounce "Outeniqua" (#shocker), Alex tells a story about a South African in Arizona, Ben seems to think highly of Nelspruit, along with Adam ranting about the haka. So, standard. Music from bensound.com.

The gang convene (with Matt a ship in the night) to discuss the latest news - including SA Rugby halving its professional players and Jimmy Stonehouse's epic guns - the Super Rugby final and our Super 15 XV, Over Achiever and Under Achiever/Disappointing XVs of the season. There is also a testy discussion about whether Angus Gardener got it right. Ant sent us some amazing stats, but Adam failed to read them. We are sorry Ant :( Music from bensound.com.

The full gang are in the house as they discuss Super Rugby coming to its 2018 end, the return of Zane Kirchner, Ashley Johnson, John Mitchell causes a stir (#standard), U14 B lineout moves and, according to Ben, "It's coming home". Music from bensound.com.

It's just Matt and Alex (with a brief cameo from Adam) at ERB HQ this week, with Ben away and Adam adulting. The duo discuss the Amanaki Mafi case, how the Super 15 playoffs are as overpopulated as the Scarlets' new jersey and how Tonga could be a force to be reckoned with at the 2019 World Cup. Music from bensound.com.

It's a full house on a Monday as Adam waxes lyrical about meeting Ben in the flesh, while the gang chat all things Starty McKenzie, among other news topics. Alex gets passions inflamed comparing George Bridget to Rieko, and after makes their predictions for the week(they didn't beat the coin), everyone throws in their suggestions for rules changes that rugby so desperately needs. Music from bensound.com.

It's a full house as Ben, Adam, "Not Too Bad" Matt and Alex quickly move on from their poor week in the Fantasy universe to looking at a wildcard and safe pick for the last week of Fox Fantasy Super Rugby. Much debate is had, Adam is good at reading, Matt goes rogue (#standard) while Alex and Ben help to make some on-air decisions towards the end of the episode for next week's Fantasy finale. Music from bensound.com.