Well, that was close. Matt came to the rescue with the file so here we are! Sorry for the late episode. It's Adam's fault (as usual). This week, the gang chat about SA Rugby's new contracting model, a rather meh round of Super Rugby (I mean, look at this lot here) where the game of the week turned into a stomping, the novelty XV of SA sports persons who didn't play rugby (professionally), picks and Blame Game, all while Adam is made to sweat by Ben, Alex and Matt because he has some pressing eng...
Feb 25, 2019•1 hr 39 min
Super Rugby is finally here and Alex - aka The Prince of Rants - pretty much goes off the deep end when the gang discuss the Bulls battering of the Stormers. All the other weekend's games are discussed, with Japan slated for not caring about Super Rugby, the poor standard of kicking in round 1, and how Quade Cooper is making the Rebels a better side. Beyond that, the Stormers were so terrible, the pod draft their players to other SA franchises, Ben has little time for those who don't hire a IP l...
Feb 17, 2019•1 hr 29 min
Alex and Adam take the reins this week, and they are joined by Cargie from Draft Rugby after the news to chat all things draft rugby. They catch up on what draft is all about, Draft Rugby's progress with their own platform, Fantasy XVs of all time and also, a novelty XV focused on American presidents. It's a long one...apologies. We lost track of time. :/ Music from Monstroid. Track: 80s TV Show. You can find them on Soundcloud.
Feb 10, 2019•1 hr 54 min
Super Rugby is but two weeks away and Ben, Matt and Adam chew the cud over the Hurricanes, Sharks and Rebels this week (Alex's plush podcast studio has been invaded by family so is on a bye). Before that, Adam grabs the title of Viscount of Rants over the Six Nation's anger regarding promotion-relegation for the proposed World League, Ben gets offended by the word "commoner" and speculates about looming code switches, and Matt has another crack at the Sharks preview (chose Tyler Paul as our pic ...
Feb 03, 2019•1 hr 27 min
The gang are back and Super Rugby is one week closer. Yes please. Adam continues his Mortal Kombat-style winning streak of Blame Game titles, but before throwing it all away, Alex, Ben and Matt are mildly cooperative as they chat about concussion, a certain offspring, look at the Lions, Stormers and Bulls' chances in Super Rugby this year, and attempt to look at the 6 Nations (badly). Also, new theme! Thanks to Cape Town outfit Monstroid for lending us their good vibes. You can check them out he...
Jan 27, 2019•1 hr 22 min
Super Rugby is one week closer and the gang, with Ben a bit more tired than usual for good reason, get into the prospects for the Waratahs (Ben was meh), Crusaders (Matt was bitter) and Chiefs ahead of kick-off 2019. Before then, they chat about Pat Lambie's retirement, give Draft Rugby an early shout out and discuss whether DDA will be in the first 24 picks of the draft. Also, the #10YearChallenge (not to be trusted) inspired this week's poll (to be trusted). Music from bensound.com.
Jan 20, 2019•1 hr 29 min
The chat from Ep.62 about transformation in South African rugby, separated for your listening pleasure. The file has been reloaded to cut out sound at the end. Music from bensound.com.
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 13 min
For the first time ever, Elite Rugby Banter features its own tight five, with Jam Jam joining the gang to lift the level of conversation amid the odd technical glitch. This week, Eddie Jones’ high injury record is discussed, the Jaguares, Brumbies and Reds are preview, and after much teasing and waiting, the gang talk about transformation. That discussion is particularly long, so we will also post that separately, given its uncharacteristic maturity…Ben had to leave early, so maybe that’s why? A...
Jan 13, 2019•2 hr 12 min
It's a new year but the same old consistent, amazing (sort of) podcast about rugby. The gang chat concussions, school poaching, begin their Super 15 team previews with the Blues, Highlanders and Sunwolves ahead of Kick Off Day, drop a poll and deal with a member of the team going AWOL due to a murderous cat. So, as stated, same old pod. Happy new year! Music from bensound.com.
Jan 06, 2019•1 hr 20 min
2018 is almost a wrap, but we here at Elite Rugby Banter have made sure that you will ride out the year in style. Adam returns from the coast calmer, as he, Ben, Matt and Alex get to grips with Christmas food, the Jaguares 2019 Super Rugby squad, Springbok New Year resolutions, the pod's own 2019 resolutions, along with the latest Stop, Drop and Poll. Thanks for listening and have a lekker New Year! See you in 2019. Music from bensound.com.
Dec 30, 2018•1 hr 52 min
Adam is back and gets his hand caught in the cookie jar, as the gang chat about the week's news, how different Springboks would fare in the Game of Thrones universe (books, not TV... so says Alex), and as episodes go, it is certainly certainly filled with banter. Questions are asked of Cheslin Kolbe, Ben insults the rugby prowess of a beloved Sharks legend, Matt keeps pointing out Adam lives in Pretoria and Adam sighs...a lot. Thanks for listening! We will be back with another episode next week....
Dec 23, 2018•1 hr 31 min
Adam is away in Pietermaritzburg (i.e. a very humid town) so Alex steers the ship with the rest of the gang, and chaos ensues. Amidst it all, they chat about the looming post-RWC coachpocalypse, the looming shape of the Boks post-RWC and the looming news from the week. So, pretty standard ;) Apologies for the late episode too! Music from bensoud.com
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 19 min
That hot air you are feeling through your window is the rugby dry season, but have no fear, the Elite Rugby Banter crew are here to help fill the chasm. A sleepy Alex, hammock-ing Ben, chilled Matt (what else?) and humid Adam chat about the pending possible return of Super Rugby, the Pacific Island's failed attempt at a Super Rugby franchise, the South African 7s jersey and why other jerseys can't be as awesome, along with a quick view across the North v South spectrum. Thanks for listening as a...
Dec 09, 2018•1 hr 9 min
It's the Elite Rugby Banter Awards Show, and we do not disappoint (or hope we don't). The gang are in studio in four different locations as always as they chat about Nake Drotske and Os du Randt following Thursday's attack, Brexit's impact on the English Premiership, the Barbarian's come-from-behind victory over Argentina, and a few other bits and pieces before concluding with the fabled ERB Awards (like World Rugby's except more Elite), including ERB Podcaster of the Year, which produces some '...
Dec 02, 2018•1 hr 45 min
The End of Year Tour has finally come to a merciful end, particularly for Owen Farrell's shoulders, which can't seem to stay away from the lime light. The gang slam some news, review Fiji's epic win over France, England beating Australia, the new Blame Game, who should be playing for who, the Springboks' disappointing performance against Wales and we grade Rassie's men out of 10 for the EOYT. Also, Adam goes off the deep end. Next week, it is the ERB Internationals Awards. Like World Rugby's awa...
Nov 25, 2018•1 hr 39 min
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...
Nov 18, 2018•1 hr 38 min
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 Gaut...
Nov 11, 2018•1 hr 33 min
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 int...
Nov 04, 2018•1 hr 33 min
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.co...
Oct 28, 2018•1 hr 33 min
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...
Oct 21, 2018•1 hr 32 min
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...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 21 min
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...
Oct 07, 2018•1 hr 36 min
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
Sep 30, 2018•1 hr 32 min
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.
Sep 23, 2018•1 hr 24 min
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.
Sep 16, 2018•1 hr 41 min
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.
Sep 09, 2018•1 hr 32 min
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.
Sep 02, 2018•1 hr 22 min
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.
Aug 26, 2018•1 hr 13 min
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.
Aug 19, 2018•1 hr 18 min
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.
Aug 12, 2018•1 hr 2 min
