Join Ben, Adam, and Matt as they look back at 2021's rugby highlights and lowlights.

Elite Rugby Banter

Episode 211: That's a Wrap on 2021

Another week another Springbok lineup.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 216: Nienaber doesn’t get full Marx

The only thing standing between us and a lot of humble pie, was the plethora of "buts" we threw out last week. Who was the real villain of the week, Paul Williams, Nienaber or Nic White's moustache?

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Episode 217: All Black clouds ahead

World Cup heartbreak, Jantjies yanked, and Ant calls Evan Roos a flat track bully (but not to his face).

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Episode 224:World Cup heartbreak, Jantjies yanked, and Ant calls Evan Roos a flat track bully (but not to his face).

Episode 224: Of contracts and (not so) subtle product placements

Phil shits on Bafana Bafana, NZRU are more All Blacks than Black Ferns, Jack Dempsey is not Scottish (and does Charles Piutau have tattoos?), and a URC wrap.

Music by @monstroid, 80s TV Show.

Episode 225: Conspiri-Sea

With so much to cover, Phil and Ant ditch Andrew to fly through the various goings-on from the last week in the world of rugby, including, but not limited to Henco not knowing he's made the Bok Squad, and the All Blacks continuing to climb the red card tally.

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Episode 226: 2 Man speed special

Episode 226: 2 Man Speed Special

Ant, Phil, and Andrew review the bumper weekend of international rugby, covering the semifinals of the Women's Rugby World Cup (which year is it?), the 7s, and the Test matches. Catharsis and verbal therapy (read-Bok bashing) are met by talking up Italy, despairing about Scotland despite a victory, celebrating Argentina's renaissance, and taking a token shit on Wales (thanks, Ben).

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Elte Rugby Banter

Episode 227: God Damian: Penaud and McKenzie >> De Allende and Willemse

Another week, another close defeat for the Springboks on tour. The disappointed yet still hopeful panel closes out the Women's Rugby World Cup, does their best to defend Pieter-Steph ahead of his disciplinary hearing, debates modern rugby hairstyles, and go full Dan Brown on the French TMO or the lack thereof.

Music: "80s TV Show" by @monstroid

Episode 228: This week is the Boks' week. Surely. We promise

No, they're not talking about the decision to ban Rassie from social media, but rather the exclusion of a certain Southern Hemisphere duo from the official team of the year. In a rare turn of events, South Africa is the one shining light for the southern hemisphere, primarily because they know what necks are, and how not to touch them.

Music: "80s TV Show" by @monstroid

Episode 229: World Rugby Got It Wrong!

Episode 229: World Rugby got it Wrong!

The Boks put the English pretenders to the sword as Phil and Ant discuss the emphatic victory while checking in on Wales and Australia attempting to have a worse year than each other, and discussing the woes of the Sharks in the URC.

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Episode 230: THIS was the Boks week!

Will the 6 Nations be celebrated with Guinness or champagne? Will the ale be fresh out the tap or will there be a whisky hangover? And what of a pairing with prosciutto, or perhaps a Welsh rarebit? 

Join the gang for their January broadcast covering the best of European rugby (which, by extension, includes South Africa now), running the rule over the URC ahead of playoffs and making some big claims ahead of the 6 Nations.

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Episode 232: Is Joburg just a suburb in Wales?

The Springboks overran minnows Wales while the English tackle technique is proving contagious. Eddie "Indiana" Jones has bigger fish to French fry and what a ruse from the Wallaroos. The Bulls Daisies are pushing up the women's game locally, while the Cheetahs Force the issue in Bloemfontein. The Boks look for a psychological edge against a Frizellless All Blacks while testing Canaan's Moodie in the middle.

Episode 245 - It's nearly Spring(boks RWC defence)!

The Springboks won by a world record margin against the All Blacks to end their RWC prep on the perfect note. The team dissect the tactics that produced the victory, grapple with the inconsistent disciplinary applications (like did Farrell shine his shoes?), and deliberate on whether some of the individual performances warrant a World Cup rethink for the Boks best XV, if that's even a thing...

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Episode 246 - Bok Blackout

Andy, Phil and Ant run through each of the pools, putting their predictive prowess on the line, highlighting the key players and the definition of success for each side. Fair warning - there are some hot takes befitting of the European heatwave and some mildly spicy disagreements.

Follow us on our socials and join us on the official Rugby World Cup fantasy game (Your unique league code for ERB World Cup Fantasy is: NJFWI40O) and also Superbru.

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Episode 247 - The Official Elite Rugby Banter World Cup Preview Podcast

Andrew chooses pudding over podding and birds over balls, leaving Phil and Ant to rule the roost and run over the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Tempers are kept in better check than journos being triggered over disco lights, but excitement for the next two months overflows as Phil and Ant prepare to make their ways to France!

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Episode 248 - Travel Man: 48 Hours in Bordeaux with Ant & Phil

Phil and Ant, our two Rugby World Cup correspondents and travellers, are hosted this week by a very jealous and lonely Andrew back in Joburh. They moan about French beer prices and the underwhelming Pacific Island performances (other than the Flying Fijians), but also delight in a Romanian romp and the general World Cup atmosphere on the ground.

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Episode 249 - Round 2: The Boys in Bordeaux

The boys are back as they run the rule over the third round of Rugby World Cup pool games, with Australia bombing harder than the Bok "Nuke" squad. Otherwise, some largely uninspiring games set the stage for some interesting pool exit permutations.

Theme: 80s TV Show by @monstroid

Episode 250 - Round 3: Nuke squad fails to launch

The second last round of pool games is over, leaving some interesting permutations for the knockouts. Who between the tournament underperformers Argentina and Japan will go through with England? Will Italy stun hosts France? And will Scotland beat Ireland by more than 20 with both teams simultaneously scoring four tries to rip a black hole in the space-time continuum to knock the Springboks out of the World Cup?  Short answer - probably not. Long answer - listen to the episode.

Ep 251: There are only four good coaches at the World Cup

This is one of our longest episodes, but also one of our most hotly debated shows ever.

First, Andy, Ant and Phil wrap up the pool stages of the World Cup, who under-performed and who shone. Then, chaos and uncertainty reign as they turn their attention to what is a tantalising and incredibly equally matched series of four North v South battles in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals. Form vs class, team chemistry vs individual game breaking ability, knockout rugby or sticking to your game plan template. It's almost too close to call, but we try anyway.

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Episode 252: The Quarter Finals - the closest ever?

This is our longest episode yet, which reflects the colour, contrast, and quality of rugby on offer this past weekend. Two of the all-time classic Test matches played out in finals-worthy fashion, accompanied by another two QFs that were runts of the litter from the weaker side of the draw. Nonetheless, our very close games are closely analysed by a team that includes a guest appearance from Heinrich, work-mate of Ant and host of Hier's Die Ding. A very optimistic view to the finals is entertained, with some disclaimers about the potential speedbump of old foes England. A negligible amount of attention is paid to the launch of the 2023/24 season of the world's best club league, the URC.

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Episode 253: Putting the "finals" in Quarter Finals

There’s nothing quite like it. The Boks are back at a World Cup final, and it’s the old foes that stand in the way. Rugby’s giants go head to head in pursuit of the ultimate title. Also featuring: what’s slippier - Mark Telea or Jamie George’s lineout throws? Is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moonlighting for Cape Town City FC? Will Welsh clubs ever beat anyone again other than each other?

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Episode 254: It's the Big One!

What a performance! It's a great day to be South African as Andrew, Ant and Phil wax lyrical about the Springboks' outstanding Rugby World Cup final display that dispatched the All Blacks, and put smiles on millions on faces. The gang break down the game in Paris to its key moments and run the rule over the game's different aspects which led to South Africa extending their lead at the top of Rugby World Rankings. An off-the-cuff team of the tournament is decided. The Springboks' World Cup legend goes on and we could not be prouder. For New Zealand, a case of what would've been.

A third consecutive 1-point victory. We’re not quite sure it’s real, but last night the Springboks defended their World Cup title and became the first team to win it four times. Pure championship mentality.

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Episode 255: We are the Champions...Again as the Springboks overcome the All Blacks

The team mops up on all the goings-on in the world of rugby since the World Cup. From the Knocked Out XV to the Springboks victory tour, Duane’s retirement to the reinvention of Welsh veterans (no, not Dan Biggar, he’s done).

If you’re expecting an update on the URC, you’re going to have to wait for next week. Until then, the Sharks are shit without their Boks.

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Episode 256: The URC - The Unrelated Rugby Content

Yes, the URC has started. Ant wishes it was merely a nightmare, but local rugby has been on the go for a few weeks. We recap the fortunes of the URC teams, recap the Blitzboks win in Dubai, and look forward to the festive schedule ahead.

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Episode 257: Bokke on the Blitz, Sharks are on the fritz

Our regular panel along with guest Alex take stock of the URC, Challenge and Champions Cups. Is Ivan Rooyen a renaissance man? Is e coli the reason for the Sharks woes? Is Shifty's shift to Stormers a good sidestep? Will Willie le Roux reach 100 caps? Did we forget to mention that Benetton are sitting pretty 2nd on the URC log? Find out here.

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Episode 258:Not quite a eulogy for the Sharks

It's been too long. The boys dispense with the formalities of hosting and somehow manage to cover pretty much everything that has happened since our last episode in the year 24 BC. Will Italy ever become a force to be reckoned with? Is Sam Spink a sleeper draft pick? Was France ever as good as we thought? Will Andy ever recover from his whisky hangover? All but the last one will be resolved here, and watch our social media to find out more as the story develops on the babbelas!

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Episode 259 - The Long Awaited One

Ant and Phil are left in control without Andrew to keep things civil as they give their verdict over all things 6 Nations, Super Rugby, URC and SVNS. Ant's Sharks continue to let him down, while best-team-in-the-world™ Ireland struggle to rule the roost over England. Did Ant really support England over Ireland? Are Scotland just missing some South African in their back row to be competitive? What is going on with the Blitzboks in the SVNS? When will the Crusaders turn things around in Super Rugby? And who should captain the Springboks going forward? Join us, as we attempt to answer all of these questions and more.

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Episode 260 - The Two-Man Power Trip Take on All Comers

Ant and Phil are once again a two-man pod and continue to chat all things 6 Nations, Super Rugby, URC, Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. Ant's Sharks have turned the corner but can they win the whole Challenge Cup? Can the Lions focus on the URC and sneak a top 8 finish? Ireland take the 6 Nations crown but will they be able to beat the Boks in SA? Wales are left with the Wooden Spoon so where to now for the men in red? Just how unlucky is Ant's Super Rugby draft team? We're still asking when  the Crusaders will turn things around in Super Rugby as the Hurricanes, Blues, Brumbies and Chiefs steam on. Is Chasing the Sun the best sports documentary out there? Join as we ask all of the tough questions.

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Episode 261 - The one where we cover all of the rugby

Phil takes on the Damian de Allende role again, swapping out Lukhanyo Am (Ant) for his other centre partner, Jesse Kriel (Andy) on this two-man recap of the recent rugby on the go. Have the Stormers lost their spark? How did the lean Lions slay the log-leading Leinster and are they in with a knockout shout? Can the Sharks swim their way to European glory? And will Phil support them? That and more on this week's episode.

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Episode 262: Another two-man blitz

Have a listen to find out why Phil may be the key to unlocking the Springbok backline against Wales, but only after Christmas. Also in the pod: Andrew and Adam’s special Gauteng bond, why Ant is as shit at fantasy as the Sharks are at URC, and why Siya Masuku should be starting for the Crusaders.

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Episode 263: Siya Masuku > Phil Hornsby > Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Elite Rugby Banter - the rugby pod where the commentary is as unpredictable as the bounce of the ball. Join Phil, Ant, and Andrew, three rugby nerds and fantasy draft managers, as they give their biased and unqualified but never dispassionate opinions on all things rugby related.

Andrew:
Rugby claim to fame: length of the field try against Bishops for the u12 C team
Teams supported other than the Springboks: Stormers, Scotland
Favourite rugby moment: every Breyton Paulse flick-flack

Ant:
Rugby claim to fame: Lightest hooker to play senior rugby for UCT 
Teams other than the Springboks: Sharks, Giltinis (RIP), Nambia
Favourite rugby moment: any Frans Steyn 50m kick, or Louis Carbonel pointing and laughing at the english before slotting a conversion, or RG fighting the whole Aussie team

Phil:
Rugby claim to fame: Smashed through a whole a Kingswood team to score a magical try (twice)
Teams other than the Lions: Springboks, England, Cheetahs
Favourite rugby moment: Lions comprehensive win over the Sharks in the 2011 Currie Cup final

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