In this episode of Loose Pass, MW Welman and Huw Griffin dissect South Africa’s stunning comeback against France, a match where the stats were nearly identical. On paper, scrums, possession, and territory barely separated the teams, but the Springboks’ win revealed the real difference: Rassie Erasmus’ chess-like strategy.Huw breaks down how subtle tactical decisions, from the timing of substitutions to scrummaging adjustments and trust in key players like Manie Libbok and Malcolm Marx, turned the tide. France’s penalty-focused scrum plan could not anticipate these moves, proving that sometimes rugby is not about the numbers but about thinking two steps ahead.For fans who love insight, strategy, and the story behind the scoreboard, this episode is a masterclass in how patience, culture, and intelligent decision-making beat stats alone. Part of the Megafoon Rugby Network, where the game finally makes sense.
When does confidence cross the line into arrogance, and who gets to decide?In this week’s episode of The Loose Pass Rugby Podcast, Huw Griffin and MW Welman explore one of modern rugby’s most fascinating culture clashes: the fine line between swagger and "windgatgeid".Two young players highlight this divide. Henry Pollock, England’s breakout star, wears his confidence boldly, brash, expressive, and impossible to ignore. He celebrates big moments with energy that draws both cheers and side-eyes. In contrast, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Springboks’ composed playmaker, exudes quiet control and poise, which some South African fans have mistaken for arrogance.Huw and MW dig into why rugby still struggles with players who show personality. Is it about culture, tradition, or old-school expectations of humility? They discuss how the word "windgat" carries weight in South African rugby, why confidence is often punished instead of celebrated, and what the sport could learn from letting players express themselves authentically.The conversation also touches on England’s skelm referee politics, bias in punditry, and the uncertain future of American rugby, where World Rugby’s plans for a 2031 World Cup face challenges. There are honest takes, lighthearted moments at Huw’s attempts to pronounce Afrikaans words, and insights that make you stop and think.From Lekker Rugby Pod to Loose Pass, MW shares how new voices are challenging old traditions in rugby media, with Megafoon Rugby at the heart of that change.If you care about rugby culture as much as the rugby itself, this episode is for you. It’s smart, unfiltered, and full of the kind of honest debate the sport needs more of.Join the Megafoon Rugby community and discover why we've grown to over 25,000 subscribers who appreciate thoughtful rugby analysis mixed with genuine passion for the game. This is rugby storytelling at its finest, where data-driven insights meet emotional connection to the sport we all love.
The Jake White to the Sharks rumour? Let’s be clear — it lives entirely inside MW’s head. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to convince Huw Griffin that Jake is plotting a secret return to Durban to rescue the Sharks. Huw’s scepticism lasts about ten seconds before he bursts out laughing.Somewhere between that and a language lesson gone wrong, Huw learns the Afrikaans word “SKELM” — just in time for a heated chat about Jan Hendrik Wessels’ reduced ban. MW calls it a proper Skelm move; Huw’s just trying to pronounce it correctly.From there, the pair dive into Springboks vs Japan, Ireland vs the All Blacks, and England’s ongoing identity crisis under Steve Borthwick. Huw also breaks down his latest Substack piece on women’s rugby, explaining why thumbnails, algorithms, and ethics don’t always play nice.🎙️ Hosted by MW Welman and Huw Griffin, produced by Megafoon Rugby — where rugby analysis meets chaos, and at least one conspiracy theory is born every week.
Join Huw Griffin and MW Welman on the Loose Pass Rugby Podcast as they dive deep into everything rugby this week. Huw can’t hide his love for the retro 2012-2013 France jersey, while MW teases him for being a “draadsitter” on France's upcoming game against the Springboks. From the Bulls’ challenging start to the season under Ackermann to transfers and injury crises at the Scarlets, Lions, and more, nothing escapes their attention.This week, the spotlight is on French referees now strictly enforcing scrum rules. MW and Huw break down what this means for upcoming tests, how teams will need to adapt, and why referees are taking a harder line on compliance. Along the way, they also debate the odds of David Kriel earning a Springbok call-up in November, analyzing his position, performance, and potential.The duo also dissects team strategies, early-season struggles, and coaching transitions, highlighting what’s going right, what’s going wrong, and why some squads might still surprise us. Finally, they preview the weekend’s must-watch games, including the East Wales Derby, Leinster vs Munster, and Bulls vs Connacht.Whether it’s kits, performances, or rivalries, Huw and MW bring you the insights, opinions, and debates that every rugby fan needs to hear.
Some rugby moments stay with you forever, and this was one of them.
Huw Griffin never expected to be so close to history. Representing Megafoon Rugby alongside Harry Jones from the Lekker Rugby Pod, he stepped into the roar of Twickenham — a sea of green and gold Springbok supporters, cameras flashing, and the electricity of a crowd fully alive. But nothing prepared him for the moment he met Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain’s warmth, humility, and presence left Huw completely awestruck — a moment he and viewers will never forget.
In this episode, Huw shares the full experience: from navigating the chaos of the media centre, capturing the post-match celebrations, and feeling the pride of South African rugby in every corner of the stadium. MW Welman joins to unpack the significance of the day, reflecting on how moments like these bring fans, journalists, and players closer together.
Beyond the handshake and surprise, they talk about the energy of the Springbok supporters, the atmosphere of Twickenham, and what it means to experience rugby at its highest level. You’ll hear stories about the vicarious thrill of living it through Huw’s eyes, the behind-the-scenes insights of covering an international test, and the emotions that come with being part of something bigger than yourself.
This episode is more than rugby analysis — it’s a story about pride, awe, and human connection. It’s a moment that reminds us why we love the game, why we celebrate its heroes, and why stories like this stay with us long after the final whistle.
The flyhalf debate is back in the spotlight after Sacha's brilliant performance, and we debate the question is whether Manie Libbok edges out Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Many believe Sacha represents the future of South African rugby, but there’s a strong case that Manie’s vision, control and proven consistency continue to make him the more complete option right now. In this episode of The Loose Pass Rugby Podcast, we unpack the comparison in full, weighing the promise of a rising star against the steady influence of an experienced playmaker, and exploring what the Springboks need most from their number ten.From there the conversation moves beyond the flyhalf duel. We reflect on the drama of the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final and its wider significance for the global game, we dive into Samoa against Chile and the passion of rugby’s so-called smaller nations, and we unleash our infamous Hospital Pass segment where no one is spared. The episode closes with a look ahead to three unmissable games this coming week, setting the stage for more twists in the rugby calendar.It is an episode that blends bold opinion with deeper analysis, sharp criticism with passionate appreciation, and the kind of rugby conversation that keeps fans debating long after the final whistle.
The Springboks head to Kings Park in Durban for a crucial clash with Argentina, but this one could be a banana peel. Huw and MW break down whether South Africa can maintain their momentum, how the Pumas’ fast, skillful style could cause problems, and what this match means for the Rugby Championship standings.The drama doesn’t stop there. Rumours swirl around Faf de Klerk potentially moving to Toulon — is it the right time for the scrumhalf to make the leap? Huw dives into the Pacific Nations Cup, celebrating Fiji’s triumph, Samoa’s fight for World Cup qualification, and Japan’s marked improvement. Across the ocean, Major League Rugby continues to shrink, raising tough questions about rugby’s growth in the US. Meanwhile, the URC celebrates record YouTube growth and a new podcast, showing how the league is evolving in the digital age.From Durban’s high-stakes test to global rugby headlines, this episode is a bumper mix of predictions, transfers, triumphs, and crises — everything a rugby fan needs to know this week.
Huw stands in for MW to interview the women's Springboks player Eloise Webb ahead of their huge quarter final against the New Zealand Black Ferns! She speaks all about the Springboks Women's journey to become one of the world's top sides and shares her own story in rugby from getting into the game in her late teens to facing the Haka for the first time!
This week on The Loose Pass Rugby Podcast we put South Africa front and centre, with the Springbok Women chasing history in the upcoming World Cup quarterfinal. The Springbok men stumbled unexpectedly poorly at Eden Park, raising questions about preparation and execution, while our Hospital Pass segment dives into the toughest talking points of the week, including referee decisions and the controversies that had fans buzzing. We also cover the start of the Top 14 season and global rugby developments from Canada to France, all through the lens of what it means for South African rugby fans!