NZRU are calling it “mutual consent”… but the speed of this decision feels like something else entirely. MW Welman and Harry Jones are joined by New Zealand’s Martin Devlin (DSPN) to ask the question everyone’s thinking: why move this fast unless the next coach is already lined up?We break down the review, the PR spin, the whispers, and what it tells us about power inside New Zealand Rugby. Razor Robertson, David Kirk, player influence, and the Tony Brown and Jamie Joseph rumours, it’s all on the table.

Seven losses in a row. Record points conceded at Loftus. A squad packed with Springboks looking confused and disconnected. MW Welman and Harry Jones go forensic on what’s really gone wrong at the Bulls, from the “butterfingers” narrative to the brutal reality of short-field defence every week.But the biggest warning sign isn’t the scoreboard. It’s the feeling. The want. The body language. We talk coaching, player responsibility, Springbok influence, and why “acceptance rugby” is the fastest way to lose a dressing room and a fanbase. The Bulls didn’t become a URC powerhouse by being delicate, so what changed… and what does “winning ugly” look like now?

Throughout history, every empire, dynasty, and dominant team has eventually faced the same question: can this last?In Episode 137 of the Lekker Rugby Pod, and the first of 2026, MW Welman and Harry Jones use history as a lens, asking what figures like Napoleon and other fallen powers can teach us about the Springboks today. Through power, paranoia, leadership, and the Rassie Erasmus effect, this conversation goes beyond tactics and results. It is not about predicting a fall. It is about understanding why this Springbok era may be structurally different from everything that came before.

The Stormers made it ten unbeaten, but this derby was about more than extending a streak. The Bulls finally looked like a team again, defending with intent, committing emotionally, and staying alive until the final maul.We break down what shifted under pressure, how the Stormers found a way to win again, and why this match could still mark a turning point in the Bulls’ season.

No notes, no structure, no plan. Just a proper end-of-year Festive Special for Episode 136 of The Lekker Rugby Pod, the way these conversations usually happen off-air. From Harry Index debates and coaching philosophies to life after rugby, why contentment is underrated, and MW's very real pain of being a Bulls fan right now.This is the Lekker Rugby Pod at its loosest and most honest. Equal parts frustration, humour and perspective. A long conversation, a few laughs, a few deep turns, and that familiar feeling that you don’t get anywhere else. If you know, you know.

Are the Bulls really in crisis? They’ve won 3 out 6 URC games after all, but after some lacklustre performances, it feels like the walls might be closing in. MW Welman and Harry Jones look at what’s really going on in Pretoria - the rumours, the gossip and the uncomfortable truths hidden in stats, culture and body language. From on-the-fields lapses to questions of trust, leadership and discipline, it’s no longer about one bad game. It’s about a system creaking under pressure.We discuss why ripping off the bandage might be the best option, and why a run-of-the-mill Sharks derby suddenly feels like a high stakes poker game. There’s banter, soap opera intrigue, a Stephen Covey detour and the stark question at the heart of it all: Can the Bulls fix this in the boardroom, or will it come down to people – some more unexpected than others…Grab a coffee – this one is different.

For Harry Jones, this week inside the Stormers environment carried a quiet emotional weight. Invited to embed with the team, he travelled from Dallas not entirely sure the invitation was real, joking at one point that it might be an elaborate practical joke. A lifelong Stormers supporter, the opportunity also allowed him to quietly mend a few important bridges. What he found was a rugby team defined by humility, shared responsibility, and quiet leadership. The culture feels lived in rather than performed, with leadership dynamics and player development happening subtly, far from the public eye.Alongside that energy sits MW Welman’s reflective tone. As Harry describes a team drawing closer together, MW can’t help but notice his beloved Bulls slipping into real trouble, though that story deserves its own space. This episode explores the Stormers’ team culture, trust and respect, cohesion, and the environment that allows winning rugby teams to thrive. It is a rare insight into professional rugby, team building, and the storytelling that surrounds one of South Africa’s most respected rugby organisations.

Episode 133 takes a deep dive into the Springboks’ ongoing rise. Harry Jones sits with special guests Bernard Jackman and Jon Cardinelli to explore how this team keeps improving two years out from the World Cup. From tactical innovation and clever squad rotation to long-term player development, the panel analyses mental toughness, explosive play, and bench strategy. This is one of our most detailed tactical discussions yet and gives fans a clear picture of just how strong South Africa looks on the global stage.