To the Last Drop

On this week's To The Last Drop, Brenden and Liam break down last weekend's Rugby Championship decider between the Springboks and Argentina in Mbombela.

They delve into how the title-winning campaign will benefit the Boks down the line and what the team's management may have in store for the end-of-year tour in November. Later Aphelele Fassi, who has rediscovered the spring in his step, and the always trucking Pieter-Steph du Toit have their say.

Our 'To The Last Drop' hosts agree the Springboks have much to atone in this Saturday's Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Nelspruit. They fell agonisingly short in rural Argentina last weekend but our hosts concur that defeat cannot be placed at the door of just one player. Besides, apart from missing one kick Manie Libbok actually had a decent Test in Santiago del Estero.

Later in the episode former Blitzboks flyer Marius Schoeman tells Brenden and Liam about his transition from Sevens High Performance manager at SA Rugby to CEO of the SA Rugby Legends. Apart from being a decorated Sevens player himself, Schoeman in concert with Neil Powell, has been instrumental in identifying and developing the talents of Kwagga Smith, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Co.

Mziwakhe Nkosi believes Saturday's Currie Cup final is a shot at redemption for the Lions when they clash with the Sharks at Ellis Park. Nkosi admits on the 'To The Last Drop' podcast his players did not cover themselves in glory on that day when they were sucker punched into kicking duel.

Nkosi is unfazed about the prospect of the Sharks loading their team with Springboks.

This week's show also looks forward to the Springboks' Test against Argentina in Santiago del Estero plus it features a clip from Bok coach Rassie Erasmus in which he expresses his displeasure at Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's decision not to reveal an injury.

As much as Springbok rugby is in rude health, the All Blacks find themselves under searching examination following three defeats in their first four Rugby Championship clashes this year. 'To The Last Drop' hosts Brenden Nel and Liam Del Carme argue the All Blacks aren't far off the pace but that the wins column will ultimately determine the fate of their head coach Scott Robertson. The All Blacks coach faced some awkward questions after his team's defeat in Cape Town last Saturday.

After their stunning come-from-behind win over the All Blacks at Ellis Park, the Springboks are within touching distance of claiming their first Rugby Championship since 2019.

They meet the All Blacks again on Saturday but the tourists have much to ponder ahead to the clash at Cape Town Stadium. The To The Last Drop hosts chew the fat with Kiwi journalist Jamie Wall about their prospects, the difference Scott Robertson has made since becoming head coach, and the state of New Zealand rugby.

Like everyone else, former Test lock Johan Ackermann is in a state of anticipation ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks on the latest episode of To The Last Drop. The Boks will hope to firm their grip over the All Blacks with a possible fifth win in their last seven matches against their old foes. The All Blacks, who were a little aggrieved at the outcome of last year's Rugby World Cup final, have a chance to exact retribution at a venue where it will hurt the Boks most. Our hosts break down the elements that may help shape the game with Ackermann, now a much-respected coach.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:31 Preview of the Big Game: Springboks vs All Blacks

00:47 Team Announcements and Injuries

01:02 Historical Context and Rivalry

01:34 Springboks' Strategy and Selections

08:08 Discussion on Eben Etzebeth’s Injury

11:28 Interview with Johan Ackermann

12:23 Johan Ackermann's Coaching Journey in Japan

14:08 Challenges and Successes in Japan

16:17 Future Coaching Aspirations

22:32 Reflections on Past Matches and Rivalries

35:58 Cultural Adjustments in Japan

38:40 Wrapping Up and Score Predictions

Coaching guru and popular television pundit Swys de Bruin may have put down the microphone but he sat down with the To The Last Drop team as they looked ahead to the Springboks' clash next weekend against the All Blacks.

De Bruin says he is surprised former captain Sam Cane remains in the All Blacks set-up, adding he has not seen a significant change in the way the three-time Rugby World Cup winners go about their business under Scott Robertson.

De Bruin warned that they remain redoubtable opposition but that the Springboks have gone from strength to strength since winning the Rugby World Cup.

Our hosts this week corner former Bok centre and television pundit Gcobani Bobo. They look ahead to this weekend's Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the Wallabies in Perth. Bobo is thoroughly enthused by the much-changed Bok line-up, arguing the World Champions now boast depth that other teams cannot match.

Bobo is also pushed down memory lane about his time Perth, the city where he regrettably, never played a Test.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:30 Springboks' Victory in Brisbane

01:05 Springbok Rugby's Evolution and Strategy

02:34 Challenges and Changes in the Team

05:24 Interview with a Rugby Legend

08:54 Reflections on 2003 and Rugby Experiences

17:27 Leadership and Future of Springbok Rugby

35:47 Predictions and Final Thoughts

'To The Last Drop' returns with two national coaches running the rule over battles to come and one in the recent past respectively. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus looks ahead to the Rugby Championship and talks about his ever-increasing popularity.

Blitzboks interim coach Philip Snyman explains his team's remarkable turnaround that resulted in a podium finish at the Olympic Games in Paris.

This week's episode also features Jacaranda FM's Xola Ntshinga who joins Brenden and Liam for a pre-Rugby Championship chat.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:30 Exciting Relaunch and Special Guest

01:38 International Rugby and Springboks' Challenges

01:51 Interview with Head Coach Rassie Erasmus

03:14 Springboks' Performance and Future Prospects

16:23 Olympics and Blitzboks' Bronze Medal

18:58 Interview with Philip Snyman

34:49 Reflections and Future Plans

36:20 Conclusion

It's time for the youngsters to take the spotlight for the Springboks with World Cup darlings Portugal in town. The To the Last Drop team chat to Francisco Isaac, Portuguese rugby journalist at large about what to expect and what the test means for Portuguese rugby.