Pieter Steph du Toit was an absolute machine. He just wouldn't give up and totally emptied the tank to single handedly tackle everyone twice... Beast mode defined

The thing about Rassie -- he's a character for sure, but the second the Boks won he stepped back. He hasn't looked for the limelight at all. His big 'in your face moments' seem very tactical to focus attention on him and not the team when they don't need it. The second they deserve it.... Rassie puts himself away. He's an incredible leader and his team know he will fall on his sword for every one of them, which gave them the strength to literally put everything they had on that field. Not the best players, the right players to get it done. Backed by incredible leaders

My 70 y.o. mother-in-law, watched her first rugby game, the bronze on Friday. Enjoyed it so much, that she insisted she go with to the pub for the final, and was on her feet along with the rest of us Bok supporters as the final whistle blew. That, is the power of this game we love.

Thanks for all the respect shown to SA and the Springboks; and huge respect back to you guys. It's been a joy to listen to during the World Cup. The NH seems a bit hostile against Africans at the moment, which I get, but common sense is needed. And that's why I loved this pod. Well done to the ABs too!

This is has been by far been one of the best channels to watch this world cup for unbiased commentary.. no negativity made it a pleasure...Thank you

Thanks guys - The Rugby Pod has been the icing on the World Cup cake. Excellent analysis with humour - keep up the good work.

There was a point when Vermuelen caught the ball in Italy and ran it into Paris, straight through bodies. It was brutal

Kwagga was immense 3 turnovers what a player

When the best attacking meets the best defending team, you get THAT match. Really proud of South Africa! Well deserved! 4xtimes champions great accolade.

NZ fans need to watch this one - 100% fair and unbiased from all three guys.

Sam Cane going off was a weird blessing for the ABs - it forced a change in their gameplan to one that actually worked!

As a bok supporter and South African, AB's played brilliantly and our biggest rival. Kudo's to both teams, they played their hearts out

thank you lads for an unbelievable podcast - all 3 of you, from a Saffa here, such great points of view and actually always positive about our great sport no matter what team playing, keep up the good chats boy - #4timesworldchamps

The SA defence was just immense. When ABs had the ball the Boks line defence was just up so fast and so hard with the hits that it was a great game. And edge of the seat stuff from ABs to fight to the end and play coast to coast rugby.

Great podcast guys. It's been really entertaining, watching/listening to you throughout the RWC. Balanced, fair and insightful comment, all the way through the tournament, it's been so enjoyable and I thank you for that. As a South African, I must say this was an incredible tournament, with imo, the highest level of competition ever. To win it was fantastic, but all credit to a magnificent AB team who fought like demons until the final whistle, and it could have gone either way until the end. Huge respect.

100% agree - Wayne Barnes had a very balanced, calm, measured, game under the circumstances. I also appreciated how he was reluctant to give scrum penalties -- rather letting open play decide the result.

Relatively neutral fan coming in peace. Grew up in South Africa but love All Blacks rugby. I thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup final and on balance think Wayne Barnes had a good game. However, I do completely understand how some all blacks fan may feel aggrieved. What made the game difficult was that there were so many marginal calls. Even the Cane red card, we've seen given as a yellow on different days through the change of direction into him and low angle of Kriel. If a yellow is given there instead of red then we still have the same debate going on post game just the other way around. I think where I do feel for the all blacks is that they essentially came out on the wrong end of all the 50/50 calls or calls not being made at all (e.g. Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith). They even lost the 50/50 bounce of the ball after the Barrett chip for Savea. Great game and even with all of the fine margins going against them, the All Blacks still had opportunities to nick it and I think that's what's going to haunt the players and coaching staff most....

Best rugbypod ever. So nice seeing neutrals nail every talking point and nuance of a great final between these two old foes. You guys get it ….one for the purists. The story lines within the game were unbelievable and as Union fans this is something the naysayers just don’t get. We would rather watch that game than a 50 point drubbing. Brilliant final and your guys summation is the cherry on top

Well done gents. By far the best, most well balanced podcast during and after the World Cup. Well done to NZ. However, the Boks played the top 5 teams to win the trophy. Can’t take that away from them. Besides the fact that Rassie mentioned that this was what he was building towards. Great game from both sides. Proud to be a Safa.

As a Saffa gal I’ve never been more invested in Rugby World Cup since the last 2 contests .. always had respect for the AB’s my 2nd team .. really missed rugby the last 5yrs while in Australia , u hardly see it there .. NFL dominates everything .. coming back home to SA this last year & getting totally involved In this WC has been so good for my Saffa soul 💚💛🇿🇦🏉! This podcast has been awesome ! Luv u guys ..thanks ..u rock ! Was awesome to see Djokovic at his first rugby game 🩵

Agree 100% with Andy Goode, a player should always go for an HIA if the other player gets sent off for a hit against the head.

2015...Greatest individuals vs 2023...Greatest team. This was a team/squad effort that took them through 1 - 6 and won the final. SA supporter who really rates and respects NZ rugby

Can you do a video with all the tackles made by Peter-Steph du Toit? Twenty eight tackles in 80 minutes. It will be a fantastic compilation to view. Also, it would be a great example to show to all players, beginners and professionals, on how it should be done legally and that it can be done. It probably won SA the game!

Many thanks guys for your unbiased rugby views before, during and after the 2023 RWC. I've enjoyed all the podcasts that I watched of yours. Massive credit to you.

when that yellow turned into a red, the look on Cane face.. seriously had me almost in tears! hes worked so so hard, brighter days ahead.

Great podcast guys, best of the rwc. As a Bok supporter the greatest side is the 2015 All Blacks. Carter, McCaw, arguably the two greatest to play the game, Smith, it just goes on. And they came out and blasted you off the field with precision running rugby.

Im now addicted to this podcast..Thanks guys!

Double tackle from Mo'unga on Kolisi and De Allende was pivotal too. It's not getting enough recognition imho. AB's were sensational, Boks were possesed. Great game. Thank you AB's. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

People forget that the boks were also with 14 men on the field for the majority of the match. Having Mbonambi injured within 2 minutes (our ONLY hooker specialist) then our Captain Kolisi and then Cheslin Kolbe so yeah we were basically also in survival mode defensively

Thank you for giving us such unbiased commentary 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🌻

Have to love Andy Goode. Speaks in pure facts and without bias. Brilliant pundit and this is the first time I’ve seen any credit given to the Boks for a monumental feat. I don’t think many saw us winning, not even us fans at times because tbh we didn’t play our best in the semis or finals.

Thank you for this fair review. It's been a rough few weeks as A Boks supporter with hefty allegations thrown at a team we love. Doping, professional fouling, racist slurs, paying refs off ... you name it, we had it. I've been disheartened tbh as if not for the Boks, I'd have been shouting for ABs and France all the way!

The guy on the pitch under the greatest pressure was Wayne Barnes. He did a good job, but there's something wrong with the game when that's the case

Thank you Andy G for be one the only people that watched the game and actually heard what Wayne actually said

I've been waiting with bated breath for you to release this episode, the best rugby show by a country mile. Thanks for all the coverage and for the balanced and unbiased views!

great show chaps !!!! good points raised and good unbiased content ... well done because there are not many podcasts like this ... thanks

Great show guys. you have been the best of the world cup in my opinion.

This was the only pod I wanted to here after the final. You guys a pure class. Goode very dissappointed you didn't take a round on predicting that Will Jordan will be found out.

Love your content lads! so so so good! impartial and proper good banter. thank you!

Well done, great craic and analysis over the course of the WRC 👏👏

Very very good point about Jessie Kriel needing to go for a HIA after Sam Cane tackle.

The Springboks went to a dark place to win. I think they found new layers and rooms of dark places. A lot of my USA friends are now Springbok and Rugby fans. Springboks have affected millions all over the world, not just in South Africa.

Love your passion for the game…. and appreciation of the Boks!

Always the best analysis, gracious, respectful and well thought perspectives. Proud our Springboks won it, impressed by the All Blacks fight back. Even more impressed by the analysis throughout the tournament from this channel. Thank you!

The Jesse Kriel one vs Scotland was looked at and it was determined that his first contact was with the ball and that the contact was minimal on the head (you can disagree with that but you can't say it wasn't looked at and you definitely can't say it's the same as Sam Cane's one). What adds to the frustration is, we as fans (and pundits) can't decide what we want, because we want what suits our teams. The Jesse Kriel vs Scotland, the TMO looked at it in the background, decided it was nothing and therefore we didn't hear anything more. At the time we were clamoring for the TMO to get involved. But in the final we are bemoaning over-involvement of the TMO. Very difficult for officials to give us what we want when we can't even decide what that is.

I genuinely feel bad for Sam Cane. Obviously it wasn’t done with malice to hurt Kriel, and both teams are friends with tons of respect. But Sam is going to be haunted by that for life, and NZ will never forget it, they may say they forgive him but people don’t forget. Great game, great tournament, great sport. Looking forward to professional leagues to get going again

Professional analysis and input by guys that know and understand the current game. Thankyou and well done.

Thanks for a great discussion. Watching the final in Jo’burg was an extraordinary experience. The two most outstanding captains of the 2023 World Cup. Both always credit their teams so sincerely. Don’t know enough about rugby but don’t think Cane should have been handed the red by TMO. Would just love to know Wayne Barnes personal take on the matter. Have been watching tv coverage of the Boks arrival home. More sustained anticipation and tension than the match itself - for nearly 5 hours! So much said by so many individuals in tribute to the sporting heroes. Always the same message cutting across divides and differences - “Stronger Together”. The logo used throughout RWC 2023.

Thank you for clearing up that Barnes never said I got that wrong sorry, I have absolutely no idea why all NZ KZfaq channels and tv channels are saying that

South africa deserved the win - Absolute beasts! The difference is being able to play at pressure moments, which South Africa is the best at

thnks guys...I wont stop watching ths podcast...I reali enjoyed the unbiased , expert , humorous, laid back analysis...

Yours is about the only podcast that I actively GO AND LOOK FOR..... I have subscribed, notifications and all. What a tremendous show you guys put out there. Honest for one thing. Most other videos, (except for Tim at Eggchasers) talks how NZ lost, so few talk on how SA WON.... So here is my gift to you. A good afrikaans superlative adjective. Kwaaiste...... it does not just mean the angriest, as google translate will no doubt say.

Great Podcast...fyi...all teams came to play while SA was at war...that anger... that dog..back against the wall....therein is the % differences....1 point...damn 3 times.

Very similar to 2011 final, one point margin, low score, and attrition over flair. We all love seeing tries, but games like that really humanise these players. Wasn't the highest quality, but you can't say it wasn't enthralling.

thank you, i have enjoyed your podcasts- will miss them, we need a few tours, i wish the boke joined the 6 nations would be good for rugby and having brilliant contests

Come on Goody - never been a fan but certainly am now! Love your input 👍

Yes Goodie you make a good point on the depth of the Springboks as their biggest strength that makes them possibly the best team ever, and that depth was developed by the Rasnaber team as a foresight into what they expected the RWC 23 to be, an almost impossible path to victory. Incredible planning and balls. By far the best coaching duo in the world now and before, such a shame they're splitting.

Brillant podcast throughout the WC - thanks. SA were immense, no mention of Siya Kolisi's yellow card, and can't believe Goody compared Kane's " red " to David Beckhams pertulance.

Breath of fresh air watching such objective review. I too could not believe there was enough in the tank for Boks to win final, but they dug very deep, Rassie was like a man possessed around half time, the moves were absolutely strategic, defence incredible. TMO did the job, identifying critical play to deliver fair decisions, Barnes incredible composure.

That was the best attack vs the best defense💚 🖤

Boks losing Bongi in 3rd minute was massive. The red card brought parity, not advantage to Boks imho such was the impact on the Bok gameplan, intended use/purpose of 7-1 bench selection, everything. 2nd half especially got to see the impact of not having Bongi. Deon played his heart out yes, but he isn't Bongi and was meant to be serving a different tactical purpose this game.

The big thing Rassie did in this world cup was that he placed more focus on who would be on the pitch at the final whistle than who would start the match. South Africa won from the bench, not the starting fifteen.

(Even as a Welshman)Wayne Barnes handled that final v well, and v professionally. We can always criticise a ref for what he missed, but no other ref manages that game better imo

Again, excellent pod. Keep it up. This was always a 50/50 game, but I trusted the Boks

Great job, guys. I thought the game was won during a brief period of inaccuracy from NZ - kicks too long, not enough pressure, ruck and tackle mistakes. Down to 14 men, they tightened the skills hugely and SA had to defend for their lives. NZ dominated lineouts when Eben went off, held the SA scrum, found gaps. Laugh at everyone who claims the Boks are less fit than every team they play. Amazing to hold out NZ and Telea for so long

Interesting stat, apparently Boks had 72% territory for the last 15min. Kinda tells a story of it’s own. Great POD, love the balanced commentry.

Very good analysis and appreciate the fluency in explaining it. thanks

Andy is the first pundits who called that Barnes interaction with Savea right. I should have subbed before this, but that on its own earned a sub. You gents are class.

Springboks were brilliant. Best rugby team in the World.

Fault with red card is that the team is punished (speaking about all rugby overall). Red card should absolutely remove player from entirety of game…however after 10mins a player from bench could be able to come on But that’s up to WRU

Love you guys! Great rugby brains as a collective. People forget Rassie was a great player in he’s own right! 💪

Absolutely loved this potcast... Agree 100% with your assessment. Good job

Looking at the IRB World XV of the year, you have to give credit to Rassie Erasmus and Co. they had (arguably) no one else except Etzebeth that stood out on top in their positions, and managed to win with pure squad management and strategy.

Just like some of the great football teams in Europe, South Africa's strategy was to let New Zealand have the ball and score on the counter. South Africa was very unlucky not to get two tries off of the counter as both Kolisi and Arendse crossed the goal line, but didn't get tries out of it. Also, South Africa knew that that they had a huge kicking advantage with Pollard and their strategy, successful, was to exploit that.

Loved this podcast. Hopefully it will continue to grow until the next world cup. Looking forward to 2027

8.01 - regarding being checked for concussion - completely agree listening to this discussion, great!

Great podcast. While we're on how the smallest of margins could have changed the game. Losing Bongi within the first few minutes, was absolutely HUGE for South Africa. He's a powerhouse in the scrum and unfortunately Deon is just not big enough to effect the scrum like Bongi can. I think it would have been a blowout if Bongi was able to play the whole game. The bomb squad was basically diffused by his loss.

As a Bok supporter, it’s always interesting to hear comments from an independent panel. Thank you for your balanced and pragmatic take on things. I’m curious to hear from you learned gentlemen, what influence (if any) do you believe is the inclusion of SA teams in the URC and other northern hemisphere based competitions having on the quality of the SA game, approach and tactics. A similar question can be asked about the impact that the exit of SA teams from the Super Rugby comp is having on teams like Australia

It was a fitting, dramatic end to a fantastic WC 🎉

Good commentary lads. We have a public holiday on dec 15 now.

Congratulations to the rainbow nation! Give me hope Jo’Anna. Love Kolisi! 🌹From an England fan. We were beaten by the best

Was Jim in the stadium ? He only told us 19 times 🤣🤣good and fair review 👌👍

Is this the rugby podcast version of Top Gear (Clarkson, May, Hammond)? ....Saffa here, just wanted to say thank you and congrats on the quality content.

Amazing Bokkies and amazing show 😍

Brilliant guys. I don’t watch any mainstream media post match chat, total nonsense. This is exceptional: knowledge, respect and sense. 🤛

Can someone please tell me how many time did PSdT tackle Jordie in the final?

Awesome Podcast as always!

Enjoyed this Pod very much. Thanx

Great Analysis 100% correct: There is a massive misconception around Barnes and Savea's penalty. He did NOT say "I saw the replay and realised I made a mistake". Exactly the opposite happened: His exact words were: "I DID NOT see the replay", meaning he was not looking at the screen when the replay was on. Then he said: "I did not see you release enough", meaning that he interpreted the play as a penalty against Savea for not allowing the tackler to place the ball. Point being, it is not that he did not realise a mistake was made and refused to reverse it. He interpreted it his way and did not see the replay so he could not change his mind.

That match was sooo tense. I checked out the Ardie penalty, and it is quite clear. Law 14: 5. Tacklers must: d. Allow the tackled player to release or play the ball. I think this was the issue, because there was no option there. How does Barnes see all of that within a few milliseconds? He blew well, the TMO however was too invovled and too busy looking for issues instead of letting the game flow

Great show! Thank you.

Amazing game!

Congratz Andy Goode, only person who got the prediction right, Boks by 1😂😂😂

Everyone is getting that wrong, the rev didn’t admit he got the decision incorrect. He just confirmed he did not see enough daylight/release after the tackle

Great great pod! Jim is awesome. Just love the springbok spirit! And think Nienaber is the best coach in the world. I would definitely never have picked that world 15 players. Argument for Ox, Malherbe, Pieter Steph and Jessie Kriel being in that World 15. This is the Greatest team of all time!

By the time the game was won Deon was captain on the field so what away for him to finish. Writen off the to finish like that is just wow. This is why this team is just something else...

Not just the Final, where Wayne Barnes became an errand boy for the TMO, but the WC did a lot of damage to the sport with the mess that is: officiating inconsistencies, TMO interference, and the Bunker mysteries. The massive amount of booing in the stadiums during the games have to be a worrying sign. Rugby will not win new fans if the current debacle continues.

No you are wrong, Sam Cane has form. In the 2023 Super Rugby Championship Sam Cane cost the Wakatio Chiefs the final, he got a yellow card, Crusaders scored a try, game over.

Jim what a legend and legend of commentary. Level headed

You guys are awesome. Love it