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

Listen 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/

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/