Rugby Punt-it
New Rules, Old Tricks
(upbeat music) - How's it, how's it, how's it? Welcome back for an episode you're here with me, Nick. And I'm joined by my good buddy, Ronnie. Ronnie, we had a bit of a weeks break. How are you doing after that, bud? - Yeah, it actually feels a little bit longer than a weeks break, that's for sure, it's a little bit rusty. - So, you know, since we last spoke, you were in Spain, you've now made the move over to France. Have you learnt any of the French lingo yet? - We. (laughs) This is gonna be a fun time while you're there in France. So I understand you had a bit of difficulties making the move from Spain to France. - Yeah, you could say that, you know, Europe's got all these amazing things, trains, things that cross that country and you could travel from one place to the next, on a train, which is amazing. And then the day I decided to travel, it was the day that the French rail system was sabotaged. I got caught right in the middle of that. - So we know they don't play rugby like us, Ronnie, but did they protest like us? Now, if they got it down to a T or was it very disorganized? - You know, it's a science, yeah. Honestly, these guys know, they know how to cripple a country. It was just four little fires and the whole train system went down. Next thing I know, if my trains were canceled, then I got stuck. Then I tried to get onto a train that was full, missed that. You know, after about nine hours of traveling, I had made it about an hour away from my start point. So, it was very good. - Well, there we go. At least you're safely in France. Where in France are you at the moment? - Just not too far from Paris, actually. It's a place called Tour, T-O-U-R-S. I still don't know how to pronounce it properly, but it's actually, it's pretty awesome. There's a river here. And I had a little bit of a walk last Sunday and people swimming in the river here, so no crocodiles. - What a surprise. It's not like where you come from down in the old malla line. Hey, you can't go swimming in the river there. - No, you cannot go swimming in the river there. - Well, I suppose you could try. It's not going to end too well. - Yeah, well, it may just be your last time. - So, Ronnie, you know, I'm moving out of my place. You're in Pretoria now, and I've been boxing everything up, but I did a proper stupid thing last week. I went to the box store. I wanted a moving kit to move out of this place. That's a two bit box. - About the spring box store. - Yeah, and then, no, I missed your joke there. No, not the spring box store. - For sure. - So I asked for this regular sized moving kit. And let me tell you, they filled my car to the brim with boxes. I don't know what I'm going to do with all these boxes. It is ridiculous. I do not have enough stuff to fill them. So, come back to South Africa. Let's go down the hills on them, or something like, we're lighties, 'cause there's a shit load of them, Ronald. - You just touch our own moving business. Anybody need moving? You've got nap boxes for everybody. - Yeah, I've got enough. I can sell two more small moving kits to everybody. Anyone out there in Pretoria that's moving, they're getting in touch. Ronnie, speaking of the box though, we have the rugby championship kicking off this weekend. - Yeah, kicking off in an awkward hour. Honestly, who thought that it was the bright idea to play a game at almost three in Australia in the afternoon? - Yeah, so that translates to a 6.30 AM kickoff for those of us here in South Africa. Box taking on the wallabies at Sankorp Stadium in Brisbane, which are running an absolute early start. And the guys that follow us on social media will have seen the bitter back and forth between me and Lackey there at Scrum Bags. We're about to down dance for this game. So if the wallabies do by some chance beat the spring box, it's going to be sunrise and I'm going to be chugging a beard on on this side of the world. - Yeah, and you can't do that. It's the one thing that you're not known for is drinking beer. - Is that so, hey, Ronald? It says you're over there probably sipping on your glass of wine this evening in France. So, Ronnie, 93 taste played between the spring box and the wallabies. Box have 50 wins, wallabies have 40 wins, and there's been three draws in that time. That's that, only 10 wins a difference, but spring box not having the best of times in Brisbane. Our last one day was in 2013. - Yeah, look, it's not just Brisbane. Right, we've our record over in Australia for the last couple of years. The last decade or so has not been favourable. But you know what, this is good. I like a strong Australia, I like a challenge. And it's definitely not going to be easy. The record is against us. You know, the Schmitt factor. No, that's all, that's all, you know, gonna bode well for Australia. So, it we're up against it. - We're definitely up against it. Like you said, Joe Schmitt in the mix, there's definitely gonna change it up. I mean, the hype surrounding the wallabies spring box tested last year was quite intense. It was to be Eddie Jones's first game and charge we went to that one. I mean, the wallabies not getting the win there, but it's a completely different ball game taking them on at home. It's a young side. It's a rebuilding phase for them. They're trying to, you know, cast the net a little bit wide and find their squad. But some interesting stats between these two sides, Ronnie Stuller's. The biggest win the spring box I've ever had was a 53 to 8.1 at Ellis Park in 2008. But the box biggest ever lost to the wallabies. Came in Brisbane in 2006, where we lost 49 null at the stadium we're taking them on this weekend. Yeah, look, I wouldn't look too much into that, of course. I mean, 2006 was what it was. And we ended up winning the World Cup in 2007. So, you know, not too concerned by that. But respect, you know, just put that aside. Brisbane is a happy hunting ground for Australia. You know, for everyone except when they play the All Blacks. So, you know, it is gonna be a massive game. It is, you know, we've had a bit of a break now. Maybe guys got a little bit rusty. Maybe, maybe, maybe opposite a street. Maybe we practice really hard and I'd like to imagine that's the case. But we do have a new 19 combination, which is, you know, it can be a hit or a miss. - No, Ronnie, you're absolutely right there. So, let's just go over then to the box 23 before we talk about predictions and all of this. So, 836 test caps in the 23 named to take on the wallabies. 330 of five of those coming in the back line. 500 and one of those in the forwards and a further 269 caps on the bench. So, as a starting point, very experienced spring box side. You know, a lot of World Cup winners taking the pitch this weekend. So, there can be no complaints from a South African point of view about the quality of team we're putting onto the field. - No, of course, I think it's definitely a compliment to Australia as well. We're taking this game seriously. We expect them to put up a bigger fight than they did back at Loftus last year under Eddie Jones. So, you know, this is at Rassie's going all guns blazing, but it's not just that. I think he's got the opportunity to go all guns blazing, but with some very inexperienced players in the mix as well. And, you know, they're not, but they're not one cap players. They've been in the mix now for some time. They've earned a couple of caps a handful, albeit five. So, you know, I think Rassie's prepared accordingly to send an inexperienced player inside, but the inexperienced players themselves have got some experience, which is good. - Yeah, you know, we're starting to cast that net and build up the squad, build up the depth ahead of 2027, which is great to see. We're doing it with a fine amount of experience around these players. So, we'll get onto the guys now. So, front row of Oxbongi, Front Small Herba. I mean, who can complain about that? That's your World Cup winning front row right there. - No, and it's, who do you choose, right? So, whether it's them or whether it's Malcolm, Vincent, Caroline, you know, there's so many, so much depth that we have there. So, you know, you can't be unhappy with this front row. - We have so much depth there that driven your corners busy playing Curry Cup. - Yeah, honestly, when did you think that was ever gonna happen, right? So, it's fantastic to see. - Ronnie, then over to the engine room we have, Yeban Etsabet, starting in the four jersey, it'll be his 123rd test cap for the spring box, only four off the record of Victor Matfield with 127. - Yeah, look, I'm very happy for Yeban. He deserves to be, you know, to have that much experience behind him. He's played for many years and he's done very well and well-deserving of such a title. And with Adlea as well, Adlea's a menace, but I did hear that he is, he does have a bit of an asterisk next to his name. So, potentially, we could see him being shifted out. But, you know, you want Adlea there, 'cause, you know, we need, you know, this is crazy to think, but we need the Bucky's boot to Yeban Etsabet's Matfield. - Yeah, I mean, it's hard to pick who the enforcer is out of Yeban and Alkyo, 'cause that's just pure pain for what's expected the locks to go 80 minutes in this one, because there's no specialist lock named on the bench. But, like you've mentioned, Alkyo's name and carrying a bit of a niggle. Should he not be able to play on the weekend? Ruan Nokia will be elevated to the starting lineup as the look of it, as a specialist five. So, it'll be interesting to see, hopefully, Alkyo is fine. Then, Rani, over to the loose trio where Sio Kalisi captains aside from six. Peter Stefft-Toy makes his remarkable recovery from injury. And Ulrich Loge gets a first start in the Springbok jersey at number eight. - Yeah, and I think this is what I was saying about. Ulrich Loge is an inexperienced player, but he still has five caps behind his name, right? So, he's been in the mix for a while, and Rassie's earned his right to play these relative newcomers who now are not, you know, they're not absolutely brand new. They've done the hard yards, and they're out to serve their position. And he's got his opportunity now, Ulrich Loge is start, you know, Evan Ruiz, obviously taking a bit of a backstand with his situation. You know, it's fantastic to see the depth that we're building over there as well. But yeah, I suppose South Africans have never had trouble with Lucy's. - And I mean, imagine now as Ulrich Loge, this is your first start for the Springboks. Yes, you have had four or five test caps to your name already. But you're coming in to start in a pack that features seven World Cup winners, six of which are double World Cup winners, only Ox having won only in 2023. But I mean, what a place to make your starting debut among such experience and such quality. You know, you're not being thrown to the world, you're really being given an opportunity there. - No, absolutely, I just hope that he can keep his nerves and check and it's a big opportunity for Ulrich and yeah, I hope he does really well 'cause I'm a big fan of Ulrich. - No, me too, Ronnie, me too. Then I think the surprising selection for everyone, and it shouldn't actually be that surprising, after clerk ruled out through injury, Cobus Reinach getting the starting nine jersey, but at 10, 100 Pollard loses out to Sasha Feinberg and Gomazulu. He gets the 10 jersey for the game against the Azis. Horses for courses, Ronnie, or has he usurped good old Polly there? - No, I don't think there's such a thing as usurping, you know, positions anymore at the stage. I think Rassie, like I said, we have to give him credit for his rotation policy. He's given everybody a chance and it's Sasha Feinberg's, her chance now. So, good on him, and I'm actually really happy to see that Cobus Reinach has this half-back partner because that's a Rufthak, Rufthak the 19 combo. Big fan of Cobus, and there's so many nines that we have so for him to get a shot and to be such a pacey, nippy, aggressive nine, you know, that's gonna do well for Sasha at 10. And, you know, obviously Sasha's got experience either side of him on his nine and 12. So I think, just while we're talking about the pace of Cobus Reinach and what he brings to the nine jersey, his replacement on the bench will be Grant Williams. And it's quite rare that we've got Cobus starting Grant on the bench, who are two Scrumhofts that are very quick. They play the game very fast, good passing, good running around the fringes. You know, normally we've got a Jaden and a Cobus or a Faff and a Grant, and it's two contrasting playing styles. So I'm quite keen to see how the backline fairs win. You've got a nine, that's sort of continuing playing the same style for 80 minutes through the game. - Yeah, look, questions to be asked, but look, we know exactly what we have in Cobus though, and he's gonna be fantastic. He's fantastic experience to have next to Sasha. So you're right, it is usually a two nine combination that are kind of hosting, but, you know, you can't go wrong with Cobus. And potentially I suppose this is in selection of choosing of both Cobus and Grant Williams because of the opposition, because of it being Australia and what they've brought this year. So, yeah, this is gonna be awesome. I'm very excited, and it's probably one of the reasons I'm most excited about waking up on Saturday morning earliest to see Cobus. - Yeah, I imagine he snatches up another one of his famous hat tricks. That would be pretty epic, Errono. - Yeah, trick machine. - So, Ronnie, then let's take a look at the centers. We've got Demi and Diya Lende and Jesse Creel. I mean, what can, what more can you say? - Most caps bring about pairing of all time, class act, huge contributors to our World Cup title defense last year. I'm more than happy to see those two starting. - Yeah, there's really nothing, there's nothing bad that you can say about this. I think for me, if we just talk about the fact that they are our most experienced center pairing, ever in the history, that for me first is a surprise because I remember the years of David Berry and all those 80 Jacobs and Charda Villiers and Jean for all these very, all these centers that you ain't let marry, right? Remember, oh, it was a good time, giving away our A chair, but you know, those are brilliant centers. And we saw so much of them wearing the spring block, Jesse, they're only for Damien and Jesse to become the most kept. Honestly, that's incredibly impressive. But yeah, look, we've had hot things to say about Jesse over the years, but he's put his head down, he's worked so incredibly hard and he deserves to be our spring block 30. And Lukane, if he, you know, he's been very unlucky, but if he finally does come back, he's gonna work really hard to have to get into and, you know, have his shot at playing 13, which no doubt he will because Jesse does rotate. Well, but you know what's crazy now, just talking about the record of most caps inter pairing, is that next in the cap line of Jacques Ferri and Jean de Villiers, and then one cap behind that is Damien Diehlende and Lukaneo, so Diehlende has almost got the two records with two different thirties. And that's impressive. And we were very critical of Damien Diehlende, you and I, our buddy Shane, always said that he was a good player, and I said, ah, Damien Diehlende, never gonna be a spring block. And look at him now, he's probably one of my favorite players. - Yeah, no, we had to eat our words on that. To be fair, that was like 2012 when we were saying that, but yeah, we were proven comprehensively wrong, Ronnie. Then a very experienced back three, Curtley, Orrin, Sir, Chestnut, Colby and Villeluru. I've been told by Lackey that the Wallabies ordered an extra strapping for their ankles this weekend because two scrum-capped wingers are coming their way. - Yeah, I think the biggest frustrating thing about having both Chestnut and Curtley in the side is because the commentators usually get them mixed up, and me too, I'd end up cheering for Chestnut when Curtley's got the ball. I wish they'd give them two separate colored scrum caps, just to, you know, small, pacey. Yeah, they're incredible. They're two very agile players. You know, they'll step you in a phone booth, eat both of them, they'll step each other in a phone booth at the same time with both legs tied behind their back. So it's very impressive and Villeluru, I'd so asked to see him there, but my biggest worry, of course, is Villeluru in this, in the starting 15, you know? Because he can't, he could surely not have long left. And, you know, we need to find a replacement for him and we've identified a couple, but they haven't been able to marshal those back three as well as Villel as. And, and that's, that's perhaps my only worry. Yeah, look, you've definitely got Damien Villamso to cover in that area as well. But yeah, Villeluru linking up with those two wings of ours is going to be deadly. Ronnie, then we have the bench. We have Malcolm Marks. I almost thought this was going to come for a second reading this now. But we're going to come and Vincent Cox for the front row. We then have no locks on the bench, Ronnie, or no specialist locks. But Ben Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, and Kwaka Smith covering there. So we've gone for a six, two split and rounded out with Grant Williams and Andre Pollard. What do you make of the bench, Ronald? Yeah, obviously, you know, I can't talk much about the front row because we've said already, it doesn't matter who's, who's where they're all incredible. With respect to your comment about the fact that we don't have locks, we do have a period of theft to toy. And it was, it was a couple of years ago, but we all used to say that he's not a flinker. He's, he's a lock. So, you know, he can stall the play there. And obviously, I think Ben Jason Dixon will have obviously, you know, by the time the game starts, we'll have had some time scrumming it at, at either four or five. But yeah, with that said, but we, you know, have here any urban, you know, they, they both have the ability to go the full 80. So not too worried about that. And then, yeah, Kwaka, we know exactly what he brings to the table, he brings everything to the table, but he's just on enough is what he is. So we're the, and I'm still waiting for the day that the 62 really fails us. And then Kwaka has to play center wing or something ridiculous, because we all talk about this. We all talk about this, like y'all just put Kwaka there, but as it has, it hasn't happened yet, you know. Kwaka, what Kwaka 10, honestly, that could be something. And then obviously, Grant Williams and Andre Pollard. So Andre Pollard there, Mr. Clutch himself. So, you know, if we really need to bring him on the last 10 minutes to kick the monies, to be the monies staying on our side, you know, that's fantastic. - Yeah, very, very keen to see this operator. I think Pollard will probably come on in about the 50th minute with Sasha shifting then to full back and making sure he's honing that versatility in, which are in the very front as well, Ronnie, we forgot to mention he is getting test cap number 96. So almost a spring box interior in himself. - Which he's well deserving of. So hopefully he stays around long enough for that. - Yeah, for sure, Ronnie. Then, you know, the Wallabies team is not unnamed at the time of recording here, and but I'm expecting a few changes from the side that face Georgia. Josh Mitzdall doing a bit of rotation. But what's your prediction for this game, Ronnie? Box or Wallabies? - If I'm back to Wallabies, right? I'll never be allowed back to South Africa, so. - No. Look. (laughs) Oh, really? So I can go, that's an exit clause for me. Okay, gotcha. - No, it has to be South Africa, right? We expect that to, we expect the boys to go over there, do their job. It is a bit of an awkward time. So hopefully that doesn't mess with their schedules, you know, but you know, they're all professionals. I'll be able to do it. They've been over there for a while now, so they should be fit and rearing to go. You know, but it is a difficult to ask, like we said, like we spoke of Brisbane, not an happy anti-ground for the spring box. Number one, number two, the last couple of years over in Australia, it's been a real challenge for the spring box. And the fact that, you know, Josh Mitzd been there with the boys now for since the World Cup. So, you know, it's not gonna be easy, but it has to be the spring box in. And let's be a little bit, you know, let's be realistic about this, you know, it has to be spring box by within one score, so within seven. - I'm gonna go box by 12, Ronnie. I do think it's gonna be a great game till about the 50th, 60th minute. And then I think the wallaby's lack of experience is gonna catch up with him a little bit, but I do not expect to run away. - No, no, that'd be unrealistic would be nice to see. All that would have been nice to see. For World Rugby, we want the Australians to do better, especially since they're the Lions to an extra, so expect them to put up a bigger fight. Yeah, so look, it's not gonna be run away, I don't think. - Ronnie, over then to the All Blacks First Lost Pumas in a New Zealand sky stadium in Wellington, 905 kickoff on Saturday morning. So before midday, we're gonna have had our rugby done in dust, it's not the way at this rate. - 25, 18 defeat, the All Blacks suffered day, two years ago. And now they face Lost Pumas again, they'll be looking for revenge. - And I'm a little bit concerned, all right. I don't, I want the Los Pumas to put up a real fight. And, you know, we had that All Blacks don't demolish them, but, you know, I don't know, the All Blacks look very strong right now. And from what's coming out the camp, and, you know, they had their warmups, and they got their things out of the way against England, who was not an easy side to play against. So, yeah, Los Pumas are gonna be up against it. So, it would be great to see it upset, perhaps, but I don't think so. - Yeah, I'm with you on that one, Ronnie. I think a good first 40 at least from Los Pumas, but I think the All Blacks are, you know, getting settled in this new razor style that's being deployed there, and, you know, getting more comfortable with how they're playing. So, I'm excited to see this one. Scott Barrett's been ruled out injured though. He won't be available for the first two games of the championship, but Audie Severe stepping into Captain the Side and what a capable replacement that is. Ronnie, will there change in captains? You have a big effect now that there's a new coaching system in place, and they were getting settled with Scott leading them? Or do you think Audie's such an integral part of that All Blacks side is not gonna make much of a difference? - Look, Scott's obviously a good choice for Captain. He's a sound player, and he's proven himself. The reality is I always thought Audie was a very good captain. So, you know, I don't think it'll mess with the Mojo. There's a lot of experience in that All Blacks side. You know, so it's Scott Barrett, you know, sitting out for two matches. I don't think it's gonna affect him one bit. And in fact, you know, you know, Audie is a great player and a great leader, so, you know, they'll be good for it. - Yeah, I think Audie, as many people thought, would have captain the All Blacks instead of Sam Kay, and it should have been a toss-up between him and Sam Whitelock, which are very, very capable leadership there from the eighth man. Ronnie, what are your predictions for this game? So, Argentina have called up a number of experienced players from the premiership. They are gonna look to fight this one hard, but score predictions? - Look, All Blacks, probably 16. - All Blacks by 16, yeah. I'm gonna go All Blacks by about 18. Just gotta beta you or two APU on this one, Ronald. Then, Leanne wrote us, two weeks ago, and we didn't get to her email then time to put it out in the pod. But she was asking her a little bit about the rule changes, and there are some rule changes, Ronnie, for the rugby championship coming up. So, first one, let's have a little bit of a chat about it. Is the 20 minute read card? What are your thoughts on that? - No, I think it's good. I've, I've, I've, I'm done all about it, and I've, I've, flipped, flopped, and sat on one side of the fence, and sat on the other side of the fence, then sat on the fence. So, you know, all means, I think it's an excellent rule. Keeping in mind, though, that, you know, deliberate foul play, deliberate read card offense, is going to remain off the field down to 14 for the rest of the game. It's not 20 minute read cards for all infractions. - Yeah, I know you're right. So, there is a differentiation. The intentional must deeds, though, then you will be off for the rest of the game. But, Ronnie, you know, the 20 minute read card, it's gonna have a big influence on, on the outcome of some games, I'm sure, because you might see a crucial player get a card that would have had a massive impact previously. He's gonna get the chance to race, and come back on after 24. Not him, someone else will come back on. It's, I think it's good for the game. I'm quite keen on it. One that has me concerned, though, is this countdown clock that's now involved. So, we've seen it for the kicks. It was 90 seconds, it's now 60 seconds on the kicks. But the clock has also been added in for the line outs and the scrums, Ronnie. So, teams will only have 30 seconds to perform these. So, from the moment the touch judge calls a line out, you have 30 seconds to get that ball into a team. So, those slow walk-ins and all of that, that's a thing of the past with this rule. - You know, try as hard as you want. I think sometimes it takes 30 seconds just to run to the, you know, to where Pollock kicked it out. So, you know, this, this for me is, I'm surprising. I'm very interested to see how this is gonna affect the speed of the game. And, yeah, this, I feel like, I don't know. This is a big one. But look, kicks still remain with what they are. But, you know, scrums, it takes more than 30 seconds really to set a scrum, right? - Yeah, no, I think it's way too little time for this. And I don't see this rule being sustainable at all. And for the line outs and the scrums. Yes, there's this whole thing we do need to speed up the game, but God, stop touching the set pieces, man. Fuck off net, it's, we like it. We like the technicalities of the line outs and the scrums. No rush to the big boys. Let them have their fun in this game, too. - Yeah, Paul said. - Ronnie, then one that I can get on board with. So, when skew throws happen in the line outs, but the defensive team didn't contest for the ball, it's play on. - You say that with a straight face. Do you, do you not realize that I brought those up? Years back and you laughed at me. - Oh, Ronnie, do you have any pictures or we don't believe you? - You know, it was like five years ago. I said, you know, honestly, it's ridiculous that they called us a skew line out if the opposition didn't contest for it. And you and Shane both laughed at me. So, you know, vindication, but I have no proof. I'll just live with it. - Yeah, Ronnie, I don't know. That doesn't sound like something you would have said at all. So, yeah, I'm not gonna pretend like you did. Ronnie, quickly then, onto some of the news, Ronnie, quickly then, onto the box squad, 'cause there's a few players I'd just like to chat about. - First one is Mani Lubbock. Has he kicked himself out of the spring box? Unintended. - Yeah, look, maybe temporarily. I don't think permanently, because Mani Lubbock is an electric 10. And, you know, he definitely had steps and experience. And, you know, I'm sure he'll be back, but his kicking is a definite concern. He pulls that ball way too, way too much. And I think if he sorts that out and he can, you know, we've had lots of players go overseas and come back and be excellent. You know, going as far back as Percy Montgomery. So, basically Montgomery ended his career with a 95-plus success on kicking. So, Mani, you can do it. I believe, and when he does, he's gonna be half-da. - Ronnie, then, Yvonne Ruis, he was excluded from the rugby championship after getting to play the test against the Irish. He has undergone shoulder surgery, and it's hard to know what influenced what there. But I think we both agree he didn't really take his chances in the July tests. - Yeah, and look, I'd look upon him a little bit more favorably if we didn't have so much depth at eight. He's got a lot of competition with the likes of Elric Loin. And, and... - Yasper, what? - Yasper visa, thanks Nick. And, you know, there's a lot of competition there. So, you know, he should have rose up to the occasion and put his hands up and put his hand up very high. You know, I think he just raised his hand a little. - Then I've seen a lot on our page about guys calling for Sia Masuku's inclusion in the, the spring box squad. I think it's a very difficult one to do because you've got Andre Pollard. You've got Mani Lebok, two World Cup winning fly-offs that are still in play. Then you've got someone performing the way Sashin Gomizulu is performing. You've got Damian Villamso on the back burner still. You've got other guys that can cover at 10. Very hard to now throw, you know, fourth or fifth string fly-off into the mix. Maybe he's going to get a chance in the games against Argentina, but for the time being, I don't feel like his exclusion is anything against the player. I just feel like he's in a really competitive pack of players for that number 10 jersey. - Exactly. And what we said about Evan Riss applies to, I suppose Sia, except Sia hasn't had his opportunity to put his hand up. But look, no doubt it will come at some point. You know, injuries happen, it is a contact sport. So look, if he gets his chance, he better be ready. - So talking about throwing your hands up, how bad have the English been with the renaming of Tookinham Stadium, Ronnie, to the Allian Stadium? So a lot of upset folk there about the tradition that's been with that stadium for years. What do you think of the renaming? - Well, we still call it Ellis Park. - So? - Yeah, exactly. And Kings Park, I've never once called it Hollywood Bates Kings Park. Not happening. - Exactly, so let's change the name, whatever we know what it is. - No, true. And then the biggest news in South African rugby at the moment, Sia Khaleesi parting ways with racing 92 and coming back to South Africa. Most likely the shocks. What do you make of that move, Ronald? - Yeah, maybe you had a bit of a good rest going over to France, right? But you know, it's good to have him back in the country. It's where he belongs, we love him. So come home and, you know, good to have your captain back. - Absolutely, absolutely. Then, Kuni Earthtay is an unfortunately retiring from the game. He had a 14 year career, but unfortunately, Nick injuries just not healed up and he's had to hang up his boots. Just a legend I really used to enjoy watching Kuni bounce the hell out of people on the field. - Agreed, Kuni was one of my favorite players. Little bit of a shitster, I always looked like it. - Well, guys, that's it for today's episode. - Thanks for joining for the Panther and staying for the chat. - My fuck job, that was like. - Make sure you smash that like button and subscribe then your preferred listening platform. So you won't miss a moment of the madness. - Catch you back here next Wednesday. 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