The introduction of podcasts has been among one of the fastest-growing trends in the current digital world.
Gone are the days when the public made it their priority to purchase the latest entertainment magazines simply to catch up with the lives of their favourite stars – now all the information is accessible with a simple click of a button and straight out of the mouths of our most admired celebrities.
In South Africa, these celebrities vary across genres of entertainment and include the acting, music, as well as sports industries, with one sport in particular being rugby.
With South African rugby now being in the best form in years, many rugby lovers have capitalised on the national success of the Springboks by starting their own podcasts, however, it is not just fans, but ex-players as well.
Here are a few rugby players who have launched their podcasts and are doing an excellent job at them!
Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh – Behind the Ruck
The duo of retired Springboks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh have quickly become the trendsetters in the sports podcasting world. With their in-depth analysis of the game, off-the-field conversations, and weekly interviews with some of rugby’s biggest stars – their loyal “Ruckers” as they refer to them, gain valuable insight into the broader facets of the game.
Courtnall Skosan – Skosan Unplugged
Skosan Unplugged is a podcast hosted by Stormers and Springbok wing Courtnall Skosan. Courtnall boasts a wealth of experience when it comes to playing the gentlemen’s game after having represented the Bulls, Lions, Northampton Saints, Stormers, as well as the national team.
While his role on the field has evolved, he has matured much more off the field as well and has since become a proud husband and father. Using this to his advantage, he recently launched his podcast, which features interviews with guests from various fields, focusing on raw and honest conversations with a touch of humor. The episodes cover a range of topics, from personal experiences to professional journeys, and often include insights into the guests’ lives and perspectives.
Rassie Erasmus – Rassie+
When shortlisting the candidates worthy of being named rugby royalty, one name that guarantees to enter the lips of rugby lovers is the Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. Although only in his mid-40s when he assumed the head coach role in 2018, Rassie has been the driving force behind one of World Rugby’s greatest teams, steering them to back-to-back World Cup success in 2019 and 2023.
While many viewers gained valuable insight into his life in seasons 1 and 2 of Chasing the Sun, Rassie has now gone even further by launching his own podcast called Rassie+. The show focuses on interviewing coaches as well as senior players, where Rassie goes down memory lane and reflects on how trust and a solid foundation were built.
Also see: Springbok coach grabs the mic for launch of podcast – Rassie+
