Two massive clashes. Four powerhouse teams.

The Rugby Championship 2025 explodes into action with Wallabies v Springboks at Ellis Park and All Blacks v Argentina in Córdoba. David Pembroke, Ewen McKenzie and Eddie Jones bring sharp analysis, bold predictions and behind-the-scenes insight ahead of Round 1.

This week, your co-hosts cover:

• James O’Connor’s shock recall at fly-half — and what it means for the Wallabies
• Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok selections and the tactics to break down Australia
• Playing at altitude in Johannesburg — how it changes the game
• Referee Ben O’Keefe, the TMO and the discipline factor
• Scrum power, aerial battles and the impact of the bench
• Missed opportunities to promote the Rugby Championship to a global audience
• Predictions for Wallabies v Springboks and All Blacks v Argentina

Who’s your pick for Round 1 — Wallabies, Springboks, All Blacks or Argentina?

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They’ve named their team early. They’re brimming with confidence. And they’ve got Rassie Erasmus pulling the strings.

Host David Pembroke is joined by former Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie to remember his earliest experiences in South Africa before breaking down the South Africa team selection and what it means for the Wallabies’ chances at altitude.

Ewen takes us inside the Springboks’ mindset from why Rassie named his team on Monday to the subtle shifts in the makeup of their forward pack. He explains why Malcolm Marx starting changes the contest, what the Kolisi-at-eight call says about Rassie’s approach, and how the ‘Bomb Squad’ can still detonate with a 5–3 bench split.

We go deep on the match-ups – from Skelton vs Etzebeth, to the defensive steel of Jesse Kriel, to the threat of Grant Williams’ pace around the ruck. Ewen outlines how South Africa might try to run Australia’s big men ragged, and why discipline and post-tackle metres will decide the physical battle.

Beyond Saturday night, the conversation shifts to the women’s game. With the Rugby World Cup in England on the horizon, David and Ewen explore how to capture momentum, build sustainable growth, and make the 15-a-side game a true global force.

It’s honest. It’s global. And it’s for fans who want more than the headlines.

So… can the Wallabies land the first blow – or will Ellis Park stay a fortress?

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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On the eve of the Rugby Championship, host David Pembroke is joined by former Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie and coaching veteran Eddie Jones for a broad discussion about the challenges of high performance and on field battles ahead.

From the high-speed precision of Formula One pit crews to the brutal grind of Ellis Park, they unpack what “alignment” means in elite sport – and why it’s so hard to achieve. Ewen relives the home-and-away mindset in French rugby, Eddie compares cultural quirks from Japan to South Africa, and both share what it takes to win in the most hostile Rugby stadium on earth.

The focus sharpens on the Wallabies’ trip to Johannesburg. Selection gambles. Set-piece warfare. The Springboks’ predictable-yet-devastating blueprint. Can Australia’s big men – Skelton, Tupou, Valetini – go the distance? And will referee sensitivities to social media change the way the contest is called?

The conversation ranges across the rugby globe:

· The All Blacks’ challenge in Córdoba against an unpredictable Argentina.

· The fight to restore Welsh rugby’s pride and the Scarlets’ bold new backers.

· The looming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, and the gulf in investment between northern and southern hemispheres.

It’s insight, history, tactics, and hard truths – from three men who’ve been there and done it at the highest level.

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One sport. Millions of voices. This is Rugby Unity.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.