Behind the Ruck

Behind the Ruck

Rugby’s funniest duo — Rudy Paige & Juan De Jongh (Springboks, Stormers, Blue Bulls)Provides next-level access to life in rugby union as it unfolds. They will drop insights about past experiences, current games and share unique perspectives on trending rugby news and headlines. Off-field interests, and engaging conversations with special guests.    Watch and listen to new episodes during the rugby season & check out Instagram, Twitter and TikTok for all the best moments from the show. 

  1. vor 4 Tagen

    BTR Ep. 161 | Heyneke Meyer Gets REAL About Coaching for SA Rugby, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry & His Critics

    From the Garden Route to SA Rugby 🇿🇦🏉 Heyneke Meyer sits down with us to reflect on his journey through rugby, from coaching the SWD Eagles to reaching the highest level of the game. He opens up about developing as a coach, the challenges of 2008, his time with SA Rugby, handling pressure, his favourite rugby memories and why making a difference remains at the heart of it all. We also dive into Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and some of the public perceptions that have followed Meyer throughout his career. 🎙️ Full conversation with Heyneke Meyer now available. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:00 Intro 02:43 Lineup 03:48 Interview Heyneke Meyer 05:27 Eagles win First Division 08:04 Why choose the SWD Eagles to coach? 13:11 Springboks from the Garden Route bring hope 18:39 What it takes to become a Springbok 22:56 Development from teaching to coaching at the highest level 28:24 Overcoming the obstacles of 2008 30:52 Reflection on time as a Springbok coach 37:21 Handling pressure in the game 43:22 Heyneke Meyer's favourite rugby games 46:22 Making a difference 54:45 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry analysis 01:04:44 Public misperceptions of HM 01:10:04 Sponsors, Burger King competition and goodbyes. Behind the Ruck is supported by SuperSportBET, make sure you place your bets this weekend: https://www.supersportbet.com/ A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Our audio sponsor for this episode is PlanetWorld South Africa. Check out their services and products on their website:https://www.planetworld.co.za Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  2. vor 4 Tagen

    BTR Ep. 160 | "I Almost Lost Everything..." Sbu Nkosi on World Cup Glory, Mental Health and Finding Purpose

    Sbu Nkosi joins us for one of the most open and honest conversations we've had on Behind the Ruck. From growing up in Barberton and earning a scholarship to Jeppe Boys High School, to being spotted by the Sharks and living out his dream in the Green and Gold, Sbu reflects on the moments that shaped his rugby journey. He shares stories about family, the people who inspired him to chase the game, his incredible speed, and what it was like representing the Springboks on some of rugby's biggest stages, including the Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup. Away from the field, Sbu opens up about life beyond rugby. He talks about returning to the game after time away, launching his Cityslowish mobile valet business, his move from the Sharks to the Bulls, and the challenges that came with navigating the pressures of professional sport. In one of the episode's most powerful moments, he speaks candidly about his mental health journey and the lessons he's learned along the way. The conversation closes with a deeply personal reflection on faith, purpose and what lies ahead. Sbu shares how his relationship with God has helped shape his outlook on life and why he's excited for the future, both on and off the field. This is an episode filled with honesty, resilience and perspective that every rugby fan should hear. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:02 Introduction to Sbu Nkosi 06:17 Coming back from the break 10:03 Cityslowish - Sbu's mobile valet business 11:22 Family 15:08 Childhood rugby inspiration 20:02 From Barberton to Jeppe Boys High School 24:38 Scouted to The Sharks 34:50 100m best time 35:09 The Springbok experience - Argentina at Loftus, semi-final in Japan against Wales 50:41 Move from the Sharks to the Bulls 53:24 Mental health challenges 01:00:41 Sbu's path of faith 01:04:29 Plans and hopes for the future 01:09:23 Sponsors, competitions, and the new BTR Club Rugby Show, Preview show and Sunday Live. Subscribe for more exclusive rugby conversations every week. #BehindTheRuck #Springboks #SbuNkosi #Rugby #SouthAfricanRugby For mental health support contact sadag.org or call the 24-hour helpline 0800 567 567 Burger King Competition: https://bkmarketing.co.za/compete/rugby-comp A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Our audio sponsor for this episode is PlanetWorld South Africa. Check out their services and products on their website:https://www.planetworld.co.za Cityslowish Mobile Valet 011 618 4955 or 082 877 1858 Social Media: Book via direct message or WhatsApp through their Instagram Page @cityslowish. Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  3. 31. Juli

    BTR Ep. 159| Aotearoa Rugby Pod Takes on Behind the Ruck | South Africa vs All Blacks Debate | Who is the best?

    This week on Behind the Ruck, we're joined by Ross and Bryn from the Aotearoa Rugby Pod for the ultimate South Africa vs New Zealand rugby debate. We dive into how New Zealand views the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour, whether the hype still matches the occasion, and reflect on the golden era of All Blacks rugby. Bryn also shares what it means to reach 100 caps and how the game has evolved from a New Zealand perspective. The conversation then shifts to the rugby itself as we unpack the Nations Championship, the evolution of the kicking game, the battle at scrum time, and the biggest selection dilemmas facing both teams. We debate how the All Blacks can unlock the South African defence, whether New Zealand's skill and footwork can overcome South Africa's physicality, the impact of Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks' versatility, and where both teams have strengths and weaknesses heading into the tournament. To wrap things up, the panel discusses the importance of the opening Test at Ellis Park, Tony Brown's return to New Zealand, picks a combined South Africa and All Blacks XV, and makes bold predictions for the rest of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour. If you're a rugby fan, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:41 Ground rules for the Ultimate Podcast Debate 01:42 Meet Ross and Bryn from Aotearoa Rugby Pod, New Zealand 02:37 Bryn's 100 caps 05:29 How does New Zealand view the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour? 07:24 Rugby hype in New Zealand 11:35 The Golden Era of New Zealand Rugby 13:51 Nations Championship - the kicking game and scrum 22:38 How kicking has changed in South African Rugby 24:49 Selection dilemmas 31:57 The All Blacks: handling the Springbok defence 34:05 NZ footwork and skillset vs SA physicality 37:13 Juan talks about Rassie 42:40 High Risk - High Reward rugby 44:09 Versatility of the Springboks 48:00 All Black team selection over the tournament 50:09 Springbok weaknesses 52:18 Veteran players and the quality of players on the bench 01:00:10 Importance of the first game at Ellis Park 01:02:54 Tony Brown signing with New Zealand 01:05:23 Podcasters select the best SA-NZ combined team 01:20:41 Tournament predictions and goodbye Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  4. 31. Juli

    BTR Ep. 158 | Rugby's Greatest Rivalry: Can the All Blacks beat the Springboks? 👀

    Join the Behind the Ruck team as we dive into Rugby's Greatest Rivalry ahead of the Rugby Championship clashes between the Springboks and All Blacks. We unpack the upcoming fixtures, explore what makes this iconic rivalry so special, and revisit the history that has made South Africa vs New Zealand one of the biggest contests in world sport. We also reveal an exciting Burger King competition before the team selects its Springbok XV for the opening Test at Ellis Park and compares it to the All Blacks squad, discussing the biggest selection calls and key match-ups. Who makes your starting XV, and who comes out on top? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Behind the Ruck. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:01 Lineup 02:52 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (RGR) 03:07 RGR Fixtures - Unions 09:37 Burgerking Competition 10:09 What makes the RGR so unique 14:42 History of the rivalry between SA and NZ 16:46 RGR Fixtures - Springboks vs All Blacks 25:58 BTR team selection for 1st test at Ellis Park 32:58 All Black team selection 44:46 Sponsors and goodbye Burger King Competition: https://bkmarketing.co.za/compete/rugby-comp A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Our audio sponsor for this episode is PlanetWorld South Africa. Check out their services and products on their website:https://www.planetworld.co.za Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  5. 8. Juli

    BTR Ep. 156 | Zeenat Simjee Opens Up About Fueling the Springboks | Growing Her Own Practice | World Cup Win

    Springbok nutritionist Zeenat Simjee joins Behind the Ruck for an insightful conversation about the science behind fueling some of the world's best rugby players. From her current role working with elite and developing athletes to balancing constant travel, Zeenat shares what life is really like behind the scenes, how she makes time for herself, and the journey that shaped her career. She also reflects on her childhood, family, studies and the lifelong passion for sport that eventually led her to the Springboks. The conversation dives deep into what it takes to prepare a Rugby World Cup winning team. Zeenat unpacks the nutritional demands of international rugby, how every meal is planned with performance in mind, and whether she really deserves the title of "food police." She explains how players are fueled during long haul travel, what a typical Springbok Test match day nutrition plan looks like, and how club rugby players can improve their nutrition without breaking the bank. We also explore Zeenat's private practice, where she helps athletes and everyday people achieve their performance and health goals beyond the Springbok environment. To wrap up, Rudy and Juan discuss the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures and what lies ahead for international rugby. If you've ever wondered what it takes to keep world champions performing at their best, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:00 Interview with Zeenat Simjee 04:56 Current career: Nutrition for elite and developing athletes 08:15 Travel and work 10:14 How Zeenat spends her ME time 12:52 Childhood, family and studies 18:39 Lifelong love of sport particularly golf 23:31 Winning 2 World Cups 30:54 Nutrition requirements for a World Cup team 38:16 The food police 45:43 Athlete nutrition for long haul flights 47:07 Typical nutrition plan on a Springbok test match day 55:24 Club rugby nutrition on a budget 01:06:47 Zeenat Simjee's private practice 01:13:34 Nations Championship Fixtures 01:15:05 Sponsors and closing A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Our audio sponsor for this episode is PlanetWorld South Africa. Check out their services and products on their website:https://www.planetworld.co.za Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  6. 5. Juli

    BTR Ep. 155 | Gio Aplon REACTS to the Springboks Squad That Has Everyone Talking Ahead of England 🇿🇦🔥

    This week on Behind the Ruck, former Springbok speedster Gio Aplon joins us to break down one of the biggest international rugby windows of the year. We unpack the newly announced Nations Championship fixtures before diving into the highly anticipated Springboks versus England clash, discussing the squad selection, the return of experienced stars, exciting young talent, and the strategy that could shape the series. We also look at how the Springboks are preparing for one of rugby's greatest rivalries, before turning our attention to New Zealand's showdown with France and Australia's battle against Ireland. Gio shares his expert insight on the biggest talking points, key matchups, and the teams that could define the international season. To wrap things up, we look ahead to the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup and discuss which nations are building towards success, who has the momentum, and what fans should expect over the next few years. If you love rugby analysis, behind the scenes insight, and honest conversation, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 👍 Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:12 Interview with Gio Aplon 06:06 Nations Championship Fixtures 06:46 Springboks vs England - The squad, big names, young players and strategy 33:17 Preparation for Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour 44:03 New Zealand vs France 01:00:34 Australia vs Ireland 01:05:24 Gearing up for the Rugby World Cup 2027 01:10:06 Sponsors and goodbye A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Our audio sponsor for this episode is PlanetWorld South Africa. Check out their services and products on their website:https://www.planetworld.co.za Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

  7. 5. Juli

    BTR Ep. 154 | TJ Perenara | All Blacks Career | Japan Move | The Truth About the Haka 🔥 | Springboks and more!

    TJ Perenara joins us on Behind the Ruck for a proper conversation about life on and off the field. From travelling to South Africa to building a new chapter in Japan, TJ opens up about family life, embracing a different culture, learning the language, and the decision to make a major move after earning 89 caps for the All Blacks. It is an honest look at how family continues to shape his decisions, both as a rugby player and as a person. We also get into his career journey and everything that has made him one of the game’s biggest personalities. TJ reflects on the Hurricanes, becoming their most capped player of all time, the success he has enjoyed with the franchise, and the relationship he has with rising star Ruben Love. He also speaks about his competitive edge, the way he chirps referees, handling injuries, the teammates who shaped his journey, and what it means to have represented the All Blacks almost 90 times. To close, TJ dives into some of the most meaningful parts of his rugby story, including captaining the Barbarians and the significance of the Haka, both as a performance and as a cultural symbol. This is a proper deep dive into one of rugby’s biggest characters, packed with laughs, insight, and stories from a career that has spanned Super Rugby, international rugby, and now life in Japan. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:08 Welcome and sponsors 05:09 Interview with TJ Perenara 06:23 Traveling to SA 07:46 Brightrock #LoveChange Moment - Family life in Japan 11:09 Embracing Japanese culture and language 12:47 The decision to move to Japan with 89 caps for the All Blacks 14:59 The importance of family in New Zealand culture 17:45 Hurricanes successes 19:46 Hurricanes - relationship with Ruben Love 22:46 TJ's competitive nature and chirping the refs 32:22 All Blacks - 89 Caps, handling injury, teammates 40:28 Most capped Hurricane of all time 46:55 Barbarians Captain 53:34 The performance and significance of the Haka 1:02:02 Wrap up, sponsors and goodbye Burger King Competition: https://bkmarketing.co.za/compete/rugby-comp A big shoutout to our official apparel sponsor, Macron! 🏅 Don’t miss their incredible range—check it out here: https://www.macron.com/wo?srsltid=AfmBOoqOB-JWRvQJmCE3GhkXhChu0fIbRexUKUcDe_OBCk6-PQQKURkb Connect with us on our social pages 👇 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaybG05H5JLs9rvAD321 Website: https://www.behindtheruckpodcast.com/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast?igsh=MWQzcWM0OTg1eTli Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094862943119 TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast?_t=8p5FQddj1mv&_r=1

Info

Rugby’s funniest duo — Rudy Paige & Juan De Jongh (Springboks, Stormers, Blue Bulls)Provides next-level access to life in rugby union as it unfolds. They will drop insights about past experiences, current games and share unique perspectives on trending rugby news and headlines. Off-field interests, and engaging conversations with special guests.    Watch and listen to new episodes during the rugby season & check out Instagram, Twitter and TikTok for all the best moments from the show. 

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