Episode 123: Springboks Trying New Tricks, All Blacks Back to Winning Ways, Chicago Anti-Climax!
People have been asking, “Where’s Harry?” Well, here he is — back from Chicago and straight into the chaos. The All Blacks vs Ireland clash may have looked like a spectacle on paper, but Soldier Field turned out to be a true anti-climax with a flat crowd, awkward production, and a game that felt more like a rehearsal than a test. MW and Harry break it all down, exploring what went wrong, what worked, and what this means for rugby’s future in the U.S. ahead of the 2031 World Cup.Meanwhile, the Springboks are shaking things up with new patterns on the field. Ox’s injury leaves big questions over the front row, and MW takes a no-holds-barred swipe at online rugby chatter, calling out the worst of fan behaviour. Between tactical insight, hilarious back-and-forths, and unfiltered observations, Episode 123 is classic Lekker Rugby — smart, sharp, and impossible to ignore.
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Episode 122: Why Rassie’s New Bench Strategy Could Redefine Springboks! | And We Preview Key First Round Matches!
In this episode, Harry and MW break down Rassie Erasmus’ bold strategy shift toward hybrid players and away from the risky 7-1 or 6-2 bench structure. They explore how versatile stars like Andre Esterhuizen and Kwagga Smith are transforming the Springboks, giving them flexibility, unpredictability, and new tactical options that could define the November tests.The discussion goes beyond South Africa, showing why these November tests are critical for every top rugby nation. Rankings, team momentum, player form, and even the 2027 World Cup draw in early December all hang in the balance. Harry and MW analyze key matchups, player rotations, and how hybrid players can create advantages in both attack and defense, tipping the scales in high-stakes encounters.For fans and aspiring coaches, this episode is a deep dive into the evolution of modern rugby strategy. Every tackle, every set piece, and every decision on the field matters—not just for individual teams, but for the global rugby landscape. Tune in to see why hybrid players are now central to success and why this November is shaping the road to the 2027 World Cup.
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Instant Reaction | Did Jan-Hendrik Wessels Get a Fair Hearing? | A Lekker Rugby Pod Considered Reaction
The Instant Reaction series is where we normally let emotion fly, but this time it called for something different. In the wake of the Jan-Hendrik Wessels case, Harry Jones and MW Welman decided to take a breath and bring you A Considered Reaction. When the fallout feels more legal than rugby, you need a lawyer’s cool head and luckily Harry is one.In this episode of The Lekker Rugby Pod, they unpack what really happened in the Wessels hearing and why the process has left so many rugby fans uneasy. Was this true justice or a farce disguised as fairness? From language barriers to procedural confusion, they dissect how rugby’s disciplinary system may be drifting into courtroom chaos.They also revisit the Josh Murphy appeal and ask whether rugby’s growing reliance on legal frameworks risks killing the spirit of the game. They challenge whether World Rugby has the courage to step in and protect the players, while examining the need for clear evidence and due process before reputations are destroyed.It is not outrage, it is reflection. It is not instant, it is considered. Watch, think, and decide for yourself.Join The Lekker Rugby Pod community and discover why we've grown to over 25,000 subscribers who appreciate thoughtful rugby analysis mixed with genuine passion for the game. This is rugby storytelling at its finest, where data-driven insights meet emotional connection to the sport we all love.
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Episode 121: Ultimate November Rugby Internationals Preview! | Eggchasers’ Tim Cocker Teams Up with Harry Jones!
It’s a huge November of international rugby coming up and The Lekker Rugby Pod has teamed up with Tim Cocker from Eggchasers to make sense of it all. Harry Jones and Tim bring together the best of north and south in one full-throttle preview of the month ahead.From England’s fly-half puzzles and Borthwick’s tactical masterclass, to Ireland’s loss of express pace, France’s scrum drama, and Scotland leaning a little too hard on past glories, no angle is safe. They weigh up Argentina’s unpredictability, assess the All Blacks’ northern hemisphere reset, and sprinkle in insight, humour, and the kind of banter only two of the biggest names in rugby podcasting can deliver.It’s Lekker Rugby Pod meets Eggchasers – two rugby worlds colliding to give you the only November rugby preview you’ll need!
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Episode 120: Inside the Springbok Strategy to Survive Five Crucial Tests — In a Row! | With Jon Cardinelli
Five tests in five weeks — it’s the toughest stretch any Springbok side has faced in years. In this episode of The Lekker Rugby Pod, MW Welman and Harry Jones are joined by veteran journalist Jon Cardinelli to unpack Rassie Erasmus’s survival strategy for November.From managing player loads to rotating veterans and rising stars, Jon explains how Rassie plans to balance experience with youth — and why the upcoming clashes against France and Ireland could define South African rugby’s next World Cup cycle.This isn’t just about who plays — it’s about how long they can last.Expect deep analysis, tactical insight, and sharp debate as the team breaks down the real plan behind Rassie’s November blueprint.
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.
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