The Lekker Rugby Pod!

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Blending North with South, Pretoria with Cape Town, data-driven MW Welman spars each week with globetrotting Harry Jones on Saffa-related themes to understand the whole world of rugby as it is and will become: making a plan but being ready to throw it all out the window.

1D AGO

Episode 138: The Bulls’ Plan Looks Brilliant on Paper… So Why Is It Failing So Badly?

Seven losses in a row. Record points conceded at Loftus. A squad packed with Springboks looking confused and disconnected. MW Welman and Harry Jones go forensic on what’s really gone wrong at the Bulls, from the “butterfingers” narrative to the brutal reality of short-field defence every week.But the biggest warning sign isn’t the scoreboard. It’s the feeling. The want. The body language. We talk coaching, player responsibility, Springbok influence, and why “acceptance rugby” is the fastest way to lose a dressing room and a fanbase. The Bulls didn’t become a URC powerhouse by being delicate, so what changed… and what does “winning ugly” look like now?

43 min
JAN 6

Episode 137: Springboks: Power, Paranoia, and the Challenge of Staying on Top

Throughout history, every empire, dynasty, and dominant team has eventually faced the same question: can this last?In Episode 137 of the Lekker Rugby Pod, and the first of 2026, MW Welman and Harry Jones use history as a lens, asking what figures like Napoleon and other fallen powers can teach us about the Springboks today. Through power, paranoia, leadership, and the Rassie Erasmus effect, this conversation goes beyond tactics and results. It is not about predicting a fall. It is about understanding why this Springbok era may be structurally different from everything that came before.

42 min
JAN 4 · BONUS

REACTION | Stormers vs Bulls: This Felt Like the Start of Something… Not the End

The Stormers made it ten unbeaten, but this derby was about more than extending a streak. The Bulls finally looked like a team again, defending with intent, committing emotionally, and staying alive until the final maul.We break down what shifted under pressure, how the Stormers found a way to win again, and why this match could still mark a turning point in the Bulls’ season.

22 min
12/24/2025

Episode 136:A PROPER Rugby Reflection, Lekker Rugby Pod Style

No notes, no structure, no plan. Just a proper end-of-year Festive Special for Episode 136 of The Lekker Rugby Pod, the way these conversations usually happen off-air. From Harry Index debates and coaching philosophies to life after rugby, why contentment is underrated, and MW's very real pain of being a Bulls fan right now.This is the Lekker Rugby Pod at its loosest and most honest. Equal parts frustration, humour and perspective. A long conversation, a few laughs, a few deep turns, and that familiar feeling that you don’t get anywhere else. If you know, you know.

51 min
12/20/2025

Episode 135: Bulls in Crisis: What Happens Next Could Change Everything!

Are the Bulls really in crisis? They’ve won 3 out 6 URC games after all, but after some lacklustre performances, it feels like the walls might be closing in. MW Welman and Harry Jones look at what’s really going on in Pretoria - the rumours, the gossip and the uncomfortable truths hidden in stats, culture and body language. From on-the-fields lapses to questions of trust, leadership and discipline, it’s no longer about one bad game. It’s about a system creaking under pressure.We discuss why ripping off the bandage might be the best option, and why a run-of-the-mill Sharks derby suddenly feels like a high stakes poker game. There’s banter, soap opera intrigue, a Stephen Covey detour and the stark question at the heart of it all: Can the Bulls fix this in the boardroom, or will it come down to people – some more unexpected than others…Grab a coffee – this one is different.

26 min
12/16/2025

Episode 134: The Secret behind the Stormers' Success - It's Not What You Think!

For Harry Jones, this week inside the Stormers environment carried a quiet emotional weight. Invited to embed with the team, he travelled from Dallas not entirely sure the invitation was real, joking at one point that it might be an elaborate practical joke. A lifelong Stormers supporter, the opportunity also allowed him to quietly mend a few important bridges. What he found was a rugby team defined by humility, shared responsibility, and quiet leadership. The culture feels lived in rather than performed, with leadership dynamics and player development happening subtly, far from the public eye.Alongside that energy sits MW Welman’s reflective tone. As Harry describes a team drawing closer together, MW can’t help but notice his beloved Bulls slipping into real trouble, though that story deserves its own space. This episode explores the Stormers’ team culture, trust and respect, cohesion, and the environment that allows winning rugby teams to thrive. It is a rare insight into professional rugby, team building, and the storytelling that surrounds one of South Africa’s most respected rugby organisations.

1h 4m
12/14/2025

Episode 133: Harry Jones Asks: Just How Good Are the 2025 Springboks Really?

Episode 133 takes a deep dive into the Springboks’ ongoing rise. Harry Jones sits with special guests Bernard Jackman and Jon Cardinelli to explore how this team keeps improving two years out from the World Cup. From tactical innovation and clever squad rotation to long-term player development, the panel analyses mental toughness, explosive play, and bench strategy. This is one of our most detailed tactical discussions yet and gives fans a clear picture of just how strong South Africa looks on the global stage.

52 min
12/13/2025

Episode 132: Harry and Tim does a Stormers Mood Check: Are They Ready for La Rochelle?

Harry Jones and Tim Cocker link up in person at the Stormers Captains Run in Gqeberha, where a honest chat about clearing the air with defence coach Norman Laker leads into a close look at the squad’s energy before La Rochelle. From the rhythm and confidence in training to bigger questions about the URC race, European commitment and South Africa’s place in the Champions Cup, this episode blends on the ground access with sharp rugby insight and a few sideline laughs.

13 min

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Blending North with South, Pretoria with Cape Town, data-driven MW Welman spars each week with globetrotting Harry Jones on Saffa-related themes to understand the whole world of rugby as it is and will become: making a plan but being ready to throw it all out the window.