September 5, 2025 • 10 mins
It's the biggest test of the 2025 calendar, with two sporting rivals going head to head once again.
To prepare for a mouth-watering showdown between the All Blacks and Springboks at Eden Park, Adam Cooper spoke to former halfback Joggie Viljoen, who played professional rugby in both New Zealand and South Africa.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And yes Eden Park seven oh five tonight. Cannot wait
for this test match. So hard to predict, isn't it,
with both these teams having points to prove the All
Blacks a lot riding on the Eden Park record, just
the spring Box wanting to sort of right the wrongs
of some of their disappointing results from this year as
well and work out which of the world's two top
(00:20):
ranked teams we'll finish twenty twenty five with the brownie
points over the other the first of two tests at
eden Park. Of course, they'll come here to Wellington next
weekend on an occasion that will be depending on how
the result pans out tonight for either team. Let's preview
the game now with someone who certainly will have insights
and a bit of passion I reckon for the success
(00:42):
of both teams. Yogi Villian a former South African rugby player.
He played professionally in both countries, including it the Hurricanes
here in Wellington and the early two thousands, so I'm
sure we'll be able to give us a bit of
an insight into where this match could be one and
lossy morning to your Yogi, Thanks for your time, mate,
(01:03):
and so many people are talking about just you know
how big this matches comparatively to other All Blacks spring
Box battles. When does it sit for you in terms
of the significance of this match right now? Right now?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I mean, I would say this is one of the
biggest ones obviously with the track record in Eden Park
for all Blacks Ardie Severe's one hundreds cap. So it's
a massive one. And you both teams are not really
firing at the moment, but both are going to be
obviously ranked one and two at the moment in the world.
(01:37):
It will be one of the biggest test mate and
there will be an awesome atmosphere in Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Yeah, you say, look that both teams, as you say,
have struggled in the Rugby Championship Show so far, or
maybe not struggle, just have had results that they wouldn't
have been completely happy with. Who do you think's got
the better momentum here coming to Eden Park this weekend?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Our personally think the Box gonna have a bit of
an upper hand person. It's it's a fifty call, but
just from seeing who they picked, what they're going to
try and play with their game plan Hunter Apollo to
ten He's going to put the big, big bombs on
the corners for the wingers to chase. They're going to
play not very expensive rugby. They will just play the
(02:17):
old African rapi through the forwards. They've got a bit
of a bomb squad coming on. That's that's what I
see it. You know, they tried, obviously trying to be
a bit more expensive for games, so Australian the first
test in a spot and it didn't work. So they're
just going to go back to their roots what works
for them.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And you have faith that Rassi Erasmus you know, can
deliver and bring back in sort of I guess a
strategy to recover from that first up lost Alsia in particular.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Oh, I think so, mate. He's a master mate. He's
very very, very very clever, clever coach mate. He will
definitely have a couple of things up his sleeves. See
you can see.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I mean some people might be surprised to see him
rushed back into number eight, but how much of a
game change does that bring to the spring Box side,
do you think?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Man? I think it's just it's just his presence, you know,
that makes a big difference for them. He's a calm guy.
He's obviously a six, but he's been playing eight lately
and you know, they got different roles for him at
the moment, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Yeah, who in the spring Box team do you think
has points to prove not just tonight at Eaton Park,
but also when they come head a welling to next weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, you know, they've got a very experienced center combination,
and I think they're going to think they're going to
have an upper hand their on a center pair, But
I think just in the whole team is just going
to have to perform. And they know they have to
play eighty minutes, so they have to there. They have
to play really very clever rugby. They're going to know
(03:50):
they're going to be morling, they're going to be doing
all that kind of stuff. But I think everybody in
that team is going to have to step up.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
The rivalry between the All Blacks and the spring Box.
Can you remember at a time or remember anytime over
the years of your you know, time playing and following
rugby where it's been as big as it is now
the world's two top Test ranked teams.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Well, it's never gone away you know, I know that
this African team doesn't plan the super rugby, but they
obviously missed that. But you know, it's been going for years.
You know, when I was four or five years old,
I can remember getting up in the morning, six o'clock
in the morning and that was the biggest test to watch.
There's always always other tests, but this is always the
biggest test. And you know the game. They are really
(04:32):
good mates. We always get together and have a few
years and have a laugh and carry on the night
and have a good night, you know. But you know
it's just two very very good nations kind of just
go one hundred one hundred times against each other and
just trying to get one to each other.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, how do you think the All Blacks mentally need
to approach defending this Eden Park record which is at
a real risk now that's been there for thirty years,
but this is probably you know, leading up to this
game in the close is that that could have been
to being broken.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
No, I think they're not going to put extra pressure
on them. They're not going to even think about the
whole fortress at Eden Park. I think they're going to
want to go and play for ardi, you know, Ardi
has played ninety nine tests this for New Zealand and
he's put his heart and solding for every single game.
So I think their main thing will be to go
and play their best game and they want to try
(05:25):
and do that for d I think, you know, one
hundred tests is obviously something very special and obviously winning
at Eden Park over the years, what thirty eight years
or something now is a big thing. But our person
is think that won't be in the back of their mind.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Half Back is your position of expertise. The All Blacks
have had a bit of a crisis there. What do
you make of Finlake Christie's slotting into nine and then
Wellington's Kyle Preston getting a potential day birth the bench.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Well, you know, I would say that's the right thing,
you know, to make Chris has got the experience playing
at that level in it between all the other halfbacks.
Cole Preston is obviously, you know, a newcomer. He's one
quickly from Willington too, obviously Crusaders and then but I
mean he's got the X factor too. He's got a
big boot left and right, he's a good runner with
(06:14):
the ball. So yeah, it's just I think it's a
perfect pick that they went worth Christy starting and then
Preston off the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
What have you made of the team so far? I
guess there's been all blacks. I'm talking about here in
twenty twenty five. There's been a lot of different selections. Yes,
there has been some injuries as well, but Scott Robertson
has rotated a bit. He's wanted to have a look
at a few new players. How have you observed the
way I guess that the widest selection picture has gone
through this year.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, well they have to go. You know, it's obviously
two more years before the World Cup is on. But
you know, I was a bit surprised all that Timmy
picked personally, But I mean I wanted to see a
guy like Jordy Barrett's number fifteen, Boten Barrett, you know
obviously at ten and put Will Jordan on the wing
just for this game, because I know the top game
plan the box are going to play. They're just going
(07:02):
to pep with in with big cks on the wingers,
and that's going to go off what they've seen, especially
against Argentina. And he worked for Argentina, so hopefully you know,
the all blacks Wus will be better in the air.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
And what do you think the weakness could be in
the spring box side as they travel for these two tests.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Weaknesses. They also chopping and changing players and they're also
experimenting with some players. There's some players, especially on the
bench that I don't know that they all newcomers. And
you know, RUSSI will always have a plan. They always
always have a plan and he just builds now for
the next World Cup, that's his main thing. But he's
still lad. He's workhorses there the experienced guys. Colby is back,
(07:42):
you know, he's got that in his inma the best
ribite player in the world.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Yeah, no, very impressive stuff. And now you must talk
to a lot of expats here from South Africa but
also rugby people back home. What is the view around Russy?
Is he still someone that you think has lots of
tricks up his sleeve? And then in this World Cup
cycle the next couple of.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Years, Oh, definitely, definitely. He doesn't sleep. I think maybe
he is just unbelievable coach. He's very technical and he
gets in the best people that can help him. So
now he'll definitely have something up his sleeve. He's that's
just a TB person. He's he's very very he will
try anything he can to try and win the game.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Yeah, amazing and no, he wanted to ask you must
have some great rugby memories as well being you know
our shows here in Wellington. You were a part of
the Hurricanes and that really strong era in the early
two thousands. The stadium was new. You know, the likes
of the Jonahs and the Tartars and the Christian Cullens
were part of the team. You must have some pretty
good rugby memories from your time in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well Man, that was the best time of my last
you know, I played sixteen year professional regbon That was
one of my best years. They are just so nice guys.
They were just so feending from day one. And like
I said, we played in two thousands for the Hurricanes
and that was the first year Jonah Lomer came over
from Auckland and to the Caton and he was just brilliant.
Cully was bant brilliant. I'm still friends with Kristin Cullen
(09:05):
talked to him down. Then our sons goes to the
same school, playing the same team at Palmy Boys, but
you know, just some good memories and just good people,
you know.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Yeah, amazing, And of course you're a second generation top
rugby player. Your son Jordie is in the Hurricane set up.
He's having a great season with Mana Watu. That must
be nice. And I know you got another son that's
doing pretty well at school boy level. Must be nice.
To continue the family legacy, right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That's a big thing. I'm so proud of both of
these two boys. Obviously, my young one is a ten.
He's the one that breaks the circle. My dad's a nine,
I was a nine. Jeordie's a nine and now Jamie,
the little one, he's a ten so and he doesn't
like playing nine, so he's the one that's breaking it.
So he's finishing up this year with his school rugby,
and then you know he's obviously signed two years with
(09:51):
the Chiefs and two years with Taranaki and Geordie is
going good. He's going good with the Turbos at the
moment and he's got one more year with a K
next year. So you know, I'm very proud and I'm
you know, I love following the rug ban see what
they can do.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Oh brilliant. You okay, great, great to hear your thoughts.
And before you go, we can't let you go without
a bit of a score production for this weekend, What
do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I think it's going to be twenty two twenty two,
it's a fifty fifty caller. I think it's twenty two
to twenty. That's my that's my school. All right.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
I'll let you off the hook from having to pick
a one. A great production. Hey, lovely to catch up.
You're really appreciate your thoughts, mate, and enjoy these next
couple of weekends.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Oh yeah, my conwait, it's going to be a real
hunting and might it's going to be good for more
from news talks. There'd be listen live on air or
online and keep
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
And yes Eden Park seven oh five tonight. Cannot wait
for this test match. So hard to predict, isn't it,
with both these teams having points to prove the All
Blacks a lot riding on the Eden Park record, just
the spring Box wanting to sort of right the wrongs
of some of their disappointing results from this year as
well and work out which of the world's two top
(00:20):
ranked teams we'll finish twenty twenty five with the brownie
points over the other the first of two tests at
eden Park. Of course, they'll come here to Wellington next
weekend on an occasion that will be depending on how
the result pans out tonight for either team. Let's preview
the game now with someone who certainly will have insights
and a bit of passion I reckon for the success
(00:42):
of both teams. Yogi Villian a former South African rugby player.
He played professionally in both countries, including it the Hurricanes
here in Wellington and the early two thousands, so I'm
sure we'll be able to give us a bit of
an insight into where this match could be one and
lossy morning to your Yogi, Thanks for your time, mate,
(01:03):
and so many people are talking about just you know
how big this matches comparatively to other All Blacks spring
Box battles. When does it sit for you in terms
of the significance of this match right now? Right now?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I mean, I would say this is one of the
biggest ones obviously with the track record in Eden Park
for all Blacks Ardie Severe's one hundreds cap. So it's
a massive one. And you both teams are not really
firing at the moment, but both are going to be
obviously ranked one and two at the moment in the world.
(01:37):
It will be one of the biggest test mate and
there will be an awesome atmosphere in Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Yeah, you say, look that both teams, as you say,
have struggled in the Rugby Championship Show so far, or
maybe not struggle, just have had results that they wouldn't
have been completely happy with. Who do you think's got
the better momentum here coming to Eden Park this weekend?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Our personally think the Box gonna have a bit of
an upper hand person. It's it's a fifty call, but
just from seeing who they picked, what they're going to
try and play with their game plan Hunter Apollo to
ten He's going to put the big, big bombs on
the corners for the wingers to chase. They're going to
play not very expensive rugby. They will just play the
(02:17):
old African rapi through the forwards. They've got a bit
of a bomb squad coming on. That's that's what I
see it. You know, they tried, obviously trying to be
a bit more expensive for games, so Australian the first
test in a spot and it didn't work. So they're
just going to go back to their roots what works
for them.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
And you have faith that Rassi Erasmus you know, can
deliver and bring back in sort of I guess a
strategy to recover from that first up lost Alsia in particular.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Oh, I think so, mate. He's a master mate. He's
very very, very very clever, clever coach mate. He will
definitely have a couple of things up his sleeves. See
you can see.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I mean some people might be surprised to see him
rushed back into number eight, but how much of a
game change does that bring to the spring Box side,
do you think?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Man? I think it's just it's just his presence, you know,
that makes a big difference for them. He's a calm guy.
He's obviously a six, but he's been playing eight lately
and you know, they got different roles for him at
the moment, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Yeah, who in the spring Box team do you think
has points to prove not just tonight at Eaton Park,
but also when they come head a welling to next weekend.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, you know, they've got a very experienced center combination,
and I think they're going to think they're going to
have an upper hand their on a center pair, But
I think just in the whole team is just going
to have to perform. And they know they have to
play eighty minutes, so they have to there. They have
to play really very clever rugby. They're going to know
(03:50):
they're going to be morling, they're going to be doing
all that kind of stuff. But I think everybody in
that team is going to have to step up.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
The rivalry between the All Blacks and the spring Box.
Can you remember at a time or remember anytime over
the years of your you know, time playing and following
rugby where it's been as big as it is now
the world's two top Test ranked teams.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Well, it's never gone away you know, I know that
this African team doesn't plan the super rugby, but they
obviously missed that. But you know, it's been going for years.
You know, when I was four or five years old,
I can remember getting up in the morning, six o'clock
in the morning and that was the biggest test to watch.
There's always always other tests, but this is always the
biggest test. And you know the game. They are really
(04:32):
good mates. We always get together and have a few
years and have a laugh and carry on the night
and have a good night, you know. But you know
it's just two very very good nations kind of just
go one hundred one hundred times against each other and
just trying to get one to each other.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Yeah, how do you think the All Blacks mentally need
to approach defending this Eden Park record which is at
a real risk now that's been there for thirty years,
but this is probably you know, leading up to this
game in the close is that that could have been
to being broken.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
No, I think they're not going to put extra pressure
on them. They're not going to even think about the
whole fortress at Eden Park. I think they're going to
want to go and play for ardi, you know, Ardi
has played ninety nine tests this for New Zealand and
he's put his heart and solding for every single game.
So I think their main thing will be to go
and play their best game and they want to try
(05:25):
and do that for d I think, you know, one
hundred tests is obviously something very special and obviously winning
at Eden Park over the years, what thirty eight years
or something now is a big thing. But our person
is think that won't be in the back of their mind.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Half Back is your position of expertise. The All Blacks
have had a bit of a crisis there. What do
you make of Finlake Christie's slotting into nine and then
Wellington's Kyle Preston getting a potential day birth the bench.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Well, you know, I would say that's the right thing,
you know, to make Chris has got the experience playing
at that level in it between all the other halfbacks.
Cole Preston is obviously, you know, a newcomer. He's one
quickly from Willington too, obviously Crusaders and then but I
mean he's got the X factor too. He's got a
big boot left and right, he's a good runner with
(06:14):
the ball. So yeah, it's just I think it's a
perfect pick that they went worth Christy starting and then
Preston off the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
What have you made of the team so far? I
guess there's been all blacks. I'm talking about here in
twenty twenty five. There's been a lot of different selections. Yes,
there has been some injuries as well, but Scott Robertson
has rotated a bit. He's wanted to have a look
at a few new players. How have you observed the
way I guess that the widest selection picture has gone
through this year.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, well they have to go. You know, it's obviously
two more years before the World Cup is on. But
you know, I was a bit surprised all that Timmy
picked personally, But I mean I wanted to see a
guy like Jordy Barrett's number fifteen, Boten Barrett, you know
obviously at ten and put Will Jordan on the wing
just for this game, because I know the top game
plan the box are going to play. They're just going
(07:02):
to pep with in with big cks on the wingers,
and that's going to go off what they've seen, especially
against Argentina. And he worked for Argentina, so hopefully you know,
the all blacks Wus will be better in the air.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
And what do you think the weakness could be in
the spring box side as they travel for these two tests.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Weaknesses. They also chopping and changing players and they're also
experimenting with some players. There's some players, especially on the
bench that I don't know that they all newcomers. And
you know, RUSSI will always have a plan. They always
always have a plan and he just builds now for
the next World Cup, that's his main thing. But he's
still lad. He's workhorses there the experienced guys. Colby is back,
(07:42):
you know, he's got that in his inma the best
ribite player in the world.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Yeah, no, very impressive stuff. And now you must talk
to a lot of expats here from South Africa but
also rugby people back home. What is the view around Russy?
Is he still someone that you think has lots of
tricks up his sleeve? And then in this World Cup
cycle the next couple of.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Years, Oh, definitely, definitely. He doesn't sleep. I think maybe
he is just unbelievable coach. He's very technical and he
gets in the best people that can help him. So
now he'll definitely have something up his sleeve. He's that's
just a TB person. He's he's very very he will
try anything he can to try and win the game.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Yeah, amazing and no, he wanted to ask you must
have some great rugby memories as well being you know
our shows here in Wellington. You were a part of
the Hurricanes and that really strong era in the early
two thousands. The stadium was new. You know, the likes
of the Jonahs and the Tartars and the Christian Cullens
were part of the team. You must have some pretty
good rugby memories from your time in Wellington.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Well Man, that was the best time of my last
you know, I played sixteen year professional regbon That was
one of my best years. They are just so nice guys.
They were just so feending from day one. And like
I said, we played in two thousands for the Hurricanes
and that was the first year Jonah Lomer came over
from Auckland and to the Caton and he was just brilliant.
Cully was bant brilliant. I'm still friends with Kristin Cullen
(09:05):
talked to him down. Then our sons goes to the
same school, playing the same team at Palmy Boys, but
you know, just some good memories and just good people,
you know.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Yeah, amazing, And of course you're a second generation top
rugby player. Your son Jordie is in the Hurricane set up.
He's having a great season with Mana Watu. That must
be nice. And I know you got another son that's
doing pretty well at school boy level. Must be nice.
To continue the family legacy, right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
That's a big thing. I'm so proud of both of
these two boys. Obviously, my young one is a ten.
He's the one that breaks the circle. My dad's a nine,
I was a nine. Jeordie's a nine and now Jamie,
the little one, he's a ten so and he doesn't
like playing nine, so he's the one that's breaking it.
So he's finishing up this year with his school rugby,
and then you know he's obviously signed two years with
(09:51):
the Chiefs and two years with Taranaki and Geordie is
going good. He's going good with the Turbos at the
moment and he's got one more year with a K
next year. So you know, I'm very proud and I'm
you know, I love following the rug ban see what
they can do.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Oh brilliant. You okay, great, great to hear your thoughts.
And before you go, we can't let you go without
a bit of a score production for this weekend, What
do you reckon?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I think it's going to be twenty two twenty two,
it's a fifty fifty caller. I think it's twenty two
to twenty. That's my that's my school. All right.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
I'll let you off the hook from having to pick
a one. A great production. Hey, lovely to catch up.
You're really appreciate your thoughts, mate, and enjoy these next
couple of weekends.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Oh yeah, my conwait, it's going to be a real
hunting and might it's going to be good for more
from news talks. There'd be listen live on air or
online and keep
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com