Episodes
Kooks, Shaun and Thala look back on the weekend’s test matches, focusing on South Africa’s victory over Portugal in Bloemfontein. Shaun as the leader of the Ben Jason Dixon fan club raved about his impressive performance as he filled the big boots of his hyphen brother Pieter-Steph du Toit. We talk about other new Boks that possibly played themselves into the Rugby Championship squad, including Johan Grobelaar and Aphelele Fassi. Kooks reminds us to get excited and to hype up Sacha...
Published 07/22/24
Francisco takes us through what to expect from Portugal and explains how this game is on free to air TV in Portugal. The team and fans are looking forward to facing the World Champions. Francisco breaks down the Springbok backs and explains what to expect with Lukhanyo Am and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Published 07/19/24
Kooks, Shaun and Thala review the second weekend of July internationals. We start with the Springboks’ first loss of the season as Ireland level the 2-match series in Durban. Shaun discusses how Ireland took control of the game, Ciaran Frawley’s amazing drop goals and how Ireland seemed to figure out how to attack the Springboks. On the Boks side, we investigate whether there is reason to panic for the Springboks, how the Tony Brown inspired attack faltered and we reflect on some positives,...
Published 07/17/24
Kooks and Judge Rugby take a look at the #RSAvIRE squads ahead of their final test. We discuss tactics, the pressure points and who we are most worried about. The Springboks have the upper hand but Irish Rugby won’t roll over
Published 07/11/24
Thala, Kooks and Shaun recap the weekends action as England make the All Blacks sweat, Tom Wright does it all himself and Jesse Kriel beats Ireland with Kolisi and du Toit as wingers
Published 07/11/24
Kooks and Thala preview the July test window, focusing especially on the epic clash between South Africa and Ireland. We react to the Springboks selection and what the omission of Evan Roos and the selection of Kwagga Smith and Marco van Staden tells us. We discuss what opportunity some Bok rookies like Gerhard Steenkamp and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu have. We debate whether the Boks will play this like a World Cup knockout game or like how they played against Wales in Twickenham. We also look...
Published 07/05/24
Kooks and Thala talk to Irish journalist for the 42 Murray Kinsella to look at the Ireland side touring South Africa for the test series. We discuss what the opponents are in each country and why there is a lot of back and forth on social media between the two sides. We talk about the possibility of Jamie Osborne starting at fullback and what he possibly brings, why this is a massive test for Craig Casey, what the inclusion of Kwagga Smith means for the Boks and why Luke Pearce will have...
Published 07/04/24
Glasgow win the URC, Edwill shines at Twickenham and make Bok squad debates toxic again Kooks, Shaun and Thala look back on a weekend of rugby which included Glasgow’s epic URC final victory in Pretoria over the Bulls. Shaun and Kooks share what happened in their weekend together watching the final at Loftus (which left Shaun worse for wear). We then break down the URC Final, how Glasgow stuck to their plan after falling 13-0 down, their impressive defence and whether the Bulls attack or...
Published 06/26/24
Kooks, Shaun and Thala preview the United Rugby Championship Final between Bulls and Glasgow. The lads look at what to expect from the two teams, Thala breaks down his theory about what Franco Smith is cooking, we react to the return of Kurt-Lee Arendse and discuss our most important head to head match ups. Then we turn our attention to the Springboks v Wales game. We look at why this might be a big game for Jordan Hendrikse and Aphelele Fassi, we debate the flyhalf pecking order and look...
Published 06/21/24
Kooks, Shaun and Thala break down an exciting weekend of club knockout rugby, focusing on the Bulls beating Leinster at Loftus in the URC semifinal. Kooks shares what the atmosphere at Loftus was like at the game and how it was similar to the big knockout Super Rugby games of the past. We rave about Cam Hanekom’s superb performance against an all international loose trio and how Johan Goosen and Willie le Roux controlled the game tactically. We discuss how Jake White and the Bulls learned...
Published 06/18/24
Kooks and Shaun try and filter through the huge amounts of brother’s that have played test rugby and try and fit them into a test XV
Published 06/13/24
Jared and Kooks share their thoughts on the rugby this past week. Shaun tries to steer the ship as the team navigate through the URC and Premiership. We review the weekends action with a look at the URC Semi Final’s. What happened to the Stormers and how many of the Leinster players will be getting their very first Republic of South Africa stamp in their passport. We talk the Springboks, why Leinster need Handre Pollard and much much more
Published 06/12/24
Kooks and Thala are joined by Stormers prop Neethling Fouche as the Stormers prepare for their quarterfinal clash against the Glasgow Warriors. Neethling reflects on the last few seasons for the Stormers and how they turned things around in 2021 to win it all. He also talks about dealing with heightened expectations after winning the URC in 2021, the ups and downs of this season and why South African teams find winning in Europe tricky. Neethling also shares how scrumming with Steven...
Published 06/07/24
Jared and Thala round up the URC regular season and look forward to the upcoming quarterfinals. We preview the Bulls hosting Benetton and the Stormers traveling to Glasgow. We discuss what can the Bulls do about the 20 minute periods where they fall away and how the Stormers can overturn their away record. Jared calls Ospreys the Castres of the URC and Thala thinks Ulster might have the best chance at an away win. We also bid farewell to the Lions and Sharks by reviewing their season, who...
Published 06/05/24
Thala is back as all but one of the team look back at the brilliant Sharks win and how Toulouse put Leinster down in their third straight loss. We dive into the Sharks journey and are surprised about the strays they caught celebrating. The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup is over for this season, time to focus on the domestic competitions with the URC, Premiership and Top 14 wrapping up
Published 05/29/24
Kooks and Shaun welcome Stephan Lewies to the show as he chats about living the dream of becoming a Springbok, winning the Currie Cup and beating the Crusaders. He chats about the incredible leadership of Joe Marler, raucous parties after Springbok wins and winning the Premiership title in a year that had everything
Published 05/15/24
Kooks and Shaun take control of the pod this week discussing how close things were in the Champions Cup Semi Final’s as well as the Sharks amazing comeback in the Challenge Cup.
Published 05/07/24
Kooks and Shaun review the fifth and final episode of Chasing the Sun 2, it gets going with the shocking claims by Tom Curry towards Bongi Mbonambi after what he thought was a racial slur.  We carry on with the thoughts around the 7/1 split and go through the #RWC2023 Final
Published 04/24/24
Kooks and Thala come together to do a quick podcast reviewing the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarterfinals and look forward to round 14 of the URC. We discuss Leinster’s great week in exorcising the La Rochelle ghost, signing Jordie Barrett and their social media entering their villain era. We discuss the issues with the South African teams in Europe and the flight issues that hounded the Bulls. We also celebrate the Sharks making the semis of the Challenge Cup. We then preview a big...
Published 04/19/24
Kooks and Sharks are at it again as they focus on the South African sides in the Champions and Challenge Cup. They look at sides which simply can not lose, Sharky makes a bold prediction and Kooks’ hot take will make the South African’s happy. #ChampioncCup #ChallengeCup #RugbyUnion #Stormers #Bulls #Sharks #Cheetahs #Lions #Springboks #JasperWiese #HandrePollard #FinnRussell
Published 04/04/24
Kooks and Shaun go through the Chasing the Sun 2 episode rollercoaster as the Springboks prepare for and play Ireland in #RWC2023
Published 04/02/24
Kooks and Shaun talk about the opening episode of Chasing The Sun 2 as all South Africans relive the amazing RWC2023 win with incredible insights from the Springbok camp
Published 03/27/24
Shaun and Thala review round 12 of the URC which saw all 4 South African teams win their matches. We first look at the Stormers victory over Edinburgh and Shaun (who watched live) raved about how good Damian Willemse looks live and the encouraging signs from Wandi Simelane’s performance. For the Sharks game, Thala discusses whether the Sharks have finally found the right formula of Boks and youngsters in their team, how impressive Ethan Hooker is and why Makazole Mapimpi is a South African...
Published 03/27/24