Winning The Away Game

WTAG Podcast

Winning the Away Game launches on 20 November, just before the Ireland Test. This new podcast brings together successful South Africans who have conquered the world and pairs them with Springbok legends, including our co-host Flip van der Merwe. In every episode we look at resilience, legacy and the mindset needed to win when the odds are stacked against you. Whether you love Springbok rugby, business strategy or stories of South African grit going global, this is your new home for insight and inspiration.

Episodes

  1. Cabous van der Westhuizen and Brannon Phillips. From Springboks to Mauritius, from SA to Los Angeles

    5D AGO

    Cabous van der Westhuizen and Brannon Phillips. From Springboks to Mauritius, from SA to Los Angeles

    In this episode of Winning The Away Game, hosts Justinus Adriaanse and Flip van der Merwe speak with former Springbok Cabous van der Westhuizen and global entertainment executive Brannon Phillips about reinvention, starting over in new countries, and what elite sport teaches you about succeeding when no one is clapping anymore. From building a beach bar business in Mauritius to navigating the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, this episode explores resilience, identity, culture shifts, and the mindset needed to win the Away Game.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:04 Welcome02:43 Favourite Springbok moment07:12 Why leave South Africa?15:59 Adjusting abroad25:53 Rebuilding credibility33:24 Culture shifts39:19 Identity and leadership43:00 Final reflectionsCheck out our other channels: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke ⁠⁠Connect with Jon on LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ping Productions⁠

    1h 5m
  2. Wynand Olivier and Robyn Curnow - How emigrating makes you MORE South African

    JAN 29

    Wynand Olivier and Robyn Curnow - How emigrating makes you MORE South African

    What happens when elite sport ends, the cheering stops, and life asks you to start again? In this episode of Winning The Away Game, we sit down with Springbok and Bulls legend Wynand Olivier and veteran journalist Robyn Curnow for a powerful, honest conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it really means to begin again. We talk about the emotional reality of leaving professional rugby, moving countries, and returning home to a version of life that has moved on without you. Wynand opens up about the shock of retirement, building a business from scratch, and why coming back to South Africa was harder than moving to Japan, France, or England. Robyn shares her journey through global journalism, covering defining moments in South Africa’s history, and what it’s like to rebuild a sense of belonging after more than a decade abroad. This is a conversation about grief, growth, masculinity, motherhood, legacy, and the quiet courage it takes to adapt when your old identity no longer fits. If you’ve ever felt displaced, underestimated, or unsure of who you are after a big chapter ends, this episode is for you.00:00 – Welcome to Winning The Away Game02:10 – Introducing Wynand Olivier and Robyn03:05 – Favourite Springbok Memories & National Pride05:00 – The 2007 Super Rugby Final That Changed Everything07:10 – Growing Up With Rugby and Knowing This Was the Path10:30 – What Springbok Success Meant to South Africans14:20 – Playing Under Pressure in Front of 80,000 People18:40 – The Golden Era of the Bulls Explained20:15 – The Decision to Leave South Africa and Go Overseas24:30 – Landing in Japan Alone and Learning to Adapt28:40 – From France to England: Life Abroad as a Pro Player33:40 – Journalism, Nation Building, and Telling South Africa’s Story37:00 – Covering History: Mandela, Global Leaders, and Hard Truths41:30 – When Careers End and Identity Shifts46:10 – Coming Home vs Staying Away51:00 – Raising Children Across Countries and Cultures56:40 – Why South Africans Adapt So Well Globally1:01:10 – Stepping Away From Careers That No Longer Serve You1:05:50 – Detoxing From Noise, Media, and Modern Life1:08:30 – Where Will We Watch the 2027 World Cup?1:11:30 – Defining Legacy Beyond Titles and Careers1:15:40 – Advice to Our Children and Future Selves1:20:00 – Final Reflections on Winning the Away Game⁠Connect with Justinus⁠ ⁠Connect with Flip⁠ Check out Robyn's podcast, Searching For America Or subscribe to her Substack Check out our other channels: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke ⁠Connect with Jon on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Ping Productions⁠

    1h 15m
  3. Shaun Tomson and Rob Louw - Paddle Back Out.

    JAN 15

    Shaun Tomson and Rob Louw - Paddle Back Out.

    In this episode of Winning The Away Game, we sit down with two true South African sporting icons — Springbok legend Rob Louw and world champion surfer Shaun Tomson.This is a powerful, wide-ranging conversation about breaking barriers, choosing adventure over comfort, leadership through change, and rebuilding life after elite sport. From apartheid-era tours and the evolution of South African rugby, to conquering Hawaii’s waves, building global businesses, and finding purpose after profound personal loss — this episode is about resilience in its truest form.We explore what it really means to win the away game when the rules keep changing. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & welcome 02:33 – What is your favourite Springbok memory? 07:54 – What was the 1981 tour really like behind the scenes? 10:42 – Shaun, how did rugby shape your upbringing in Durban? 15:02 – Rob, when did you know rugby would define your life? 18:38 – What creates respect across different sports? 24:43 – How did Doc Craven influence your career and values? 29:49 – Shaun, who were your biggest mentors growing up? 38:29 – What did it take to leave South Africa and play overseas? 46:50 – Why were you banned after switching to rugby league? 48:10 – Shaun, what drove you to move to Hawaii and go global? 55:26 – Rob, how did you rebuild life after rugby ended? 1:02:05 – Shaun, how did you navigate life after retiring from sport? 1:10:30 – What role does purpose play in business and leadership? 1:13:30 – Why resilience and hope matter more than ever today Connect with Justinus Connect with Flip Check out our other channels: Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke Connect with Jon on LinkedIn Ping Productions

    1h 29m

  4. JAN 1

    Tim Vieira and Gurthro Steenkamp - Finding Reinvention On The Other Side Of Adversity

    In this episode of Winning The Away Game, we sit down with Springbok legend Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) and entrepreneur (and Shark Tank Shark) Tim Vieira for a deep, honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and starting again when life forces change.We unpack what happens when identity is stripped away — through injury, rejection, business failure, or relocation — and how purpose is rebuilt through discomfort, discipline, and perspective. From iconic Springbok memories to brutal lessons in France, Angola, and Portugal, this episode goes far beyond sport or business.This is a conversation about who you become when the comfort zone disappears. Chapters00:00 – Opening montage & episode themes01:12 – Welcome to Winning The Away Game01:33 – Introducing Coach G02:09 – Introducing Tim Vieira02:59 – What is your favourite Springbok memory? 04:12 – How old were you in 1995 and why did it matter?05:49 – Where did your rugby journey begin, Coach G?07:12 – When did rugby shift from a dream to a vision?08:50 – What did the Cheetahs years teach you about toughness?10:38 – How did early setbacks shape your mindset? 13:09 – Tim, what is your origin story growing up in Johannesburg?16:40 – How did rugby influence your early life?16:49 – Why start a microbrewery at 18?18:44 – What did your first business failure teach you? 19:38 – Why did you decide to move to Angola?21:29 – How did failure prepare you for later success? 23:27 – Why did you leave South Africa for France?24:26 – How did rejection reshape your discipline and drive?26:04 – What does it take to earn respect at the Bulls?28:16 – Why deliberately step out of your comfort zone? 30:59 – What was it like landing in Angola and Portugal?32:57 – How do values and reputation carry you through reinvention?35:08 – What does “profit for purpose” really mean? 39:55 – What was the hardest part of adapting to French culture?42:24 – How did loneliness and family pressure test you?45:16 – What did France teach you about balance and resilience? 47:14 – How did you respond when your career was suddenly threatened?49:20 – When did purpose shift from ego to family? 51:18 – How did Shark Tank Portugal change your trajectory?53:24 – Why is Europe such a challenging place to build businesses? 55:42 – What does success look like later in life?56:55 – Why do we need less than we think we do?58:20 – What ultimately matters most?01:01:10 – Why faith and values anchor you through uncertainty01:03:05 – How family reframes success later in life01:05:02 – What we get wrong about money, ambition, and fulfillment01:07:12 – Why contentment is a competitive advantage01:09:18 – Letting go of ego, status, and comparison01:11:30 – What legacy really means when the game ends01:13:40 – Advice for the next generation chasing success abroad01:15:55 – Why health is the ultimate currency01:17:20 – What truly matters at the end of it all01:18:45 – Closing thoughts & gratitude Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/26fB2unP9Ih6IA3QkjnGQF?si=4b4380f24a144716Listen on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/winning-the-away-game/id1853818584 Connect with Justinus:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse/Connect with Flip:https://www.linkedin.com/in/flipvandermerwe/ Check out our other channels:Website: https://wtagpodcast.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/winning-the-away-game-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtag_podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wtag_podcast Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E%99-jonathan-warncke-45b2095/ Ping Productions: https://www.pingproductions.net/

    1h 39m
  5. BJ Botha and Linda Reddy

    12/18/2025

    BJ Botha and Linda Reddy

    We sat down with BJ Botha (a Sharks man through and through and a Springbok World Cup winner) and Linda Reddy (a South African leader flying the Nando’s flag globally) to talk about what it really takes to build a life and career across borders. This conversation is about identity, purpose, and the grit it takes to start again: from moving cities, to moving countries, to rebuilding after rugby, to leading teams from the other side of the world. Key moments: 00:00:00 Intro: What the away game really means 00:01:10 Springbok memories and the moments that shaped us 00:05:48 Identity, national pride, and carrying the flag abroad 00:09:42 Leaving home: expectations when you land overseas 00:13:30 Life after rugby and losing a playing identity 00:16:43 The Nando’s story that changes every immigration conversation 00:19:55 Comfort vs growth when making big moves 00:24:07 The shock of London winter and self-doubt 00:28:36 Why South Africans always have a plan (A, B, C) 00:32:41 Leading teams remotely across continents 00:36:58 Building connection when you’re not in the room 00:42:31 Running toward purpose, not away from pain 00:47:12 Family stability as the foundation for performance 00:53:41 Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Mount Fuji — using challenge for impact 00:57:58 Giving back, leadership, and legacy 00:59:06 Guests ask each other a questionListen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/26fB2unP9Ih6IA3QkjnGQF?si=4b4380f24a144716 Listen on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/winning-the-away-game/id1853818584 Connect with Justinus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse/ Connect with Flip: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flipvandermerwe/ Check out our other channels: Website: https://wtagpodcast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/winning-the-away-game-podcast/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/wtag_podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wtag_podcast Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E%99-jonathan-warncke-45b2095/ Ping Productions: https://www.pingproductions.net/

    56 min
  6. AJ Venter and Gus Byleveld

    12/04/2025

    AJ Venter and Gus Byleveld

    We sit down with Springbok legend AJ Venter and technologist-turned-founder Gus Byleveld to talk about what really happens when the first big chapter of your life ends – and you have to start again from scratch. From barefoot schoolboy rugby on frozen Free State and Paarl fields to Test matches against the All Blacks, Silicon Valley term sheets and a fresh start in Colorado, this conversation is about identity, resilience and doing hard things on and off the field.

    1h 19m
  7. Corne Krige and Hein Wagner - Turning Pain Into Power

    11/20/2025

    Corne Krige and Hein Wagner - Turning Pain Into Power

    In this episode we sit down with two South Africans who know all about pressure, change, and starting again: former Springbok captain Corne Krige and blind adventurer and speaker Hein Wagner.They take us from leaving home for boarding school as young kids, to captaining the Springboks and crossing oceans, to starting businesses and building institutions that create opportunity for others. Along the way we talk discipline, identity, independence, and what it really means to build a country that works for everyone.In this episode we cover:- Growing up far from home: boarding school at 4 and 5, and learning independence early- Corne’s journey from Zambia to Paarl Boys’ and captaining the Springboks on debut- Hein’s story of blindness, adventure, and crossing the Atlantic with a deaf skipper- Land-speed records, Cape Epic on a tandem, Ironman, and chasing challenge after challenge- The brutal England test, retiring from rugby, and starting over in business- Building discipline, resilience, and identity beyond a Springbok jersey- Moving to Sweden and how a different system changed Hein’s view of South Africa- Hein’s daughter’s leukemia, the Swedish healthcare system, and what “a country that works for everyone” can look likeAbout Winning the Away Game:We are Justinus Adriaanse and Flip van der Merwe. Connect with us on LinkedIn.Got a guest you’d love to see on the show? - Drop some suggestions in the comments and we’ll try to get them on the show. And if you have a question you think we should ask our guests? Let us know. Winning The Away Game is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and on the Winning The Away Game website at www.wtagpodcast.com. Subscribe to our newsletter for latest releases and behind the scenes content. Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke

    1h 19m
  8. Kobus Wiese & André Shearer: Wine, Coffee and the Business of Winning

    11/20/2025

    Kobus Wiese & André Shearer: Wine, Coffee and the Business of Winning

    In episode 2 , we sit down with two South African giants of the Away Game: 1995 Rugby World Cup winner and Wiesenhof Coffee founder Kobus Wiese, and Cape Classics and Indaba Foundation founder André Shearer.From lifting the Webb Ellis Cup to lifting espresso machines and wine cases in far-flung markets, we unpack how teams, attitude and sheer graft turn rugby lessons into global businesses.In this episode, we talk about: ● How the Springboks became South Africa’s best brand builder when everything else was failing ● Kobus’s blind date that turned into a marriage and a coffee empire ● André’s unlikely journey from teetotal medical student and model to New York wine merchant ● What it really takes to start a business in a country where no one knows your story ● Why attitude often matters more than CVs in building winning teams ● The brutal honesty of Players’ Player of the Year and what it teaches us about feedback in business ● The power of early childhood education and the vision behind the Indaba Foundation ● Why less than 1% of an education budget can break an entire economy over 20 years ● Coffee, wine and why the best leaders are willing to mop the floor and host the boardroom If you love Springbok rugby, entrepreneurship, South African wine and coffee, this one is for you. 00:00 – Welcome to Winning the Away Game 01:06 – Introducing Kobus Wiese & André Shearer 02:32 – Springboks as South Africa’s greatest brand builders 03:12 – Flip’s dad, Jan Boland Coetzee and scrum lessons for life 07:16 – When did Kobus realise he could make it as a Bok? 10:12 – Herklaas Engelbrecht and falling in love with rugby 11:49 – André’s journey: medicine, modelling and stumbling into wine 14:11 – The first cellar tasting that changed everything 17:46 – Landing in New York with South African wine no one knew 23:22 – Two-sided marketplace: convincing farmers and US buyers25:53 – South Africa’s missing national brand story 28:12 – Kobus’s second date that led to Wiesenhof Coffee 31:33 – Chaos on day one and learning the trade from scratch 35:30 – The real lows of entrepreneurship and finding trustworthy people 38:12 – Building a business in New York with no network43:59 – The ethics of relationships and why partners matter more than terms 49:37 – Rugby lessons for business: sacrifice, attitude and honesty 53:46 – Rowing, leadership and leading from the front60:51 – The Indaba Foundation and early childhood education 65:05 – From 46% to 92%: what early learning can unlock 71:23 – Entrepreneurs, honest government and proper parenting 81:57 – Kobus’s next chapter dream: classical music and the violin 83:40 – Backs play the piano, forwards move the piano 84:08 – Wrap-up and how to support the work About Winning the Away Game: We are Justinus Adriaanse and Flip van der Merwe. Connect with us on LinkedIn. Got a guest you’d love to see on the show? - Drop some suggestions in the comments and we’ll try to get them. And if you have a question you think we should ask our guests? Let us know. Winning The Away Game is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and on the Winning The Away Game website at www.wtagpodcast.com. Subscribe to our newsletter for latest releases and behind the scenes content. Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke

    1h 28m
  9. Bryan Habana & Orrin Klopper: Life After Rugby, Business Crises and Starting Again

    11/20/2025

    Bryan Habana & Orrin Klopper: Life After Rugby, Business Crises and Starting Again

    We open Season 1 of Winning the Away Game with two guests who know what it means to be tested far from home. Bryan Habana is a Rugby World Cup winner, Springbok legend and Toulon star who has had to rebuild his identity after retirement. Orrin Klopper is the CEO of NetSurIT, a global MSP that has survived multiple crises, acquisitions and a full reinvention of its business model in recent years. In this conversation we explore how both of them learned to win long after the final whistle. In this episode we cover: The day a 13-year-old Bryan watched the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park and realised rugby could unite a country – and change his life. How King Edward VII School created a sense of brotherhood and belonging for both Bryan and Orrin, even when they weren’t the stars or prefects. Why Orrin went from being expelled from schools to selling hot dogs, VHS tapes, second-hand shoes and eventually technology services. The early NetSurIT years: bootstrapping, Microsoft partnerships, and the first US acquisition that nearly broke everything. Bryan’s move from the Bulls and Stormers to Toulon: French club politics, media pressure, injuries and learning to live in a totally different culture. The brutal personal chapter in New York where Orrin’s marriage imploded, the NYPD were looking for him after false allegations, and he had to rebuild his own sense of reality through deep self-work. How COVID, the loss of major clients and an uncertain future forced NetSurIT to cut costs aggressively, rethink its core and launch a new “Innovate” offering in AI, automation and digital transformation. Bryan’s lowest moment: realising a knee injury had quietly ended his career, announcing his retirement, and breaking down at home as he opened the door and heard his son laugh. The five transferable traits Bryan believes every successful person needs: discipline, sacrifice, hard work, resilience and perseverance – regardless of industry. Why he says rugby was never his full identity, and how “unlearning to learn” is the key to his next chapter as an entrepreneur with Paymenow. How fatherhood shifted Orrin’s decision-making, made him more decisive, and paradoxically helped the business grow faster. What legacy looks like for both men over the next decade: purpose-driven businesses, stronger families and using their stories to help others win their own “away games”. Guests Bryan Habana – World Cup–winning Springbok, former Toulon wing, entrepreneur and co-founder of Paymenow. Orrin Klopper – CEO and founder of NetSurIT, a global managed services provider with operations in South Africa and the US. About the show Winning the Away Game is hosted by Justinus Adriaanse and Flip van der Merwe. We bring together stories from rugby and business to explore what it really takes to succeed when you’re far from your comfort zone. Winning The Away Game is produced by Jonathan Warncke

    1h 30m

  10. TRAILER

    Springbok Legends Meet Business Titans: Winning the Away Game Launches Nov 20

    Winning the Away Game launches on 20 November, just before the Ireland Test. Your hosts are serial entrepreneur, Justinus Adriaanse, and Springbok #818, Phillip “Flip” van der Merwe. This groundbreaking podcast brings together two powerful forces: Springbok rugby legends and South African business leaders who've made their mark internationally. Each episode pairs these extraordinary individuals to share their stories of resilience, legacy, and what it truly takes to succeed on foreign soil. Whether you love Springbok rugby, business strategy or stories of South African grit going global, this is your new home for insight and inspiration. Listen to the trailer and get ready for fun, insightful conversations with leaders who have built remarkable careers abroad and stayed rooted in South Africa’s future. Catch Winning the Away Game on all major platforms including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts starting November 20th. Follow Justinus, Flip, and the show on LinkedIn to stay updated with new episodes and behind-the-scenes content.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Winning the Away Game launches on 20 November, just before the Ireland Test. This new podcast brings together successful South Africans who have conquered the world and pairs them with Springbok legends, including our co-host Flip van der Merwe. In every episode we look at resilience, legacy and the mindset needed to win when the odds are stacked against you. Whether you love Springbok rugby, business strategy or stories of South African grit going global, this is your new home for insight and inspiration.

Information

  • Creator
    WTAG Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © WTAG Podcast
  • Show Website
    Winning The Away Game