Meet Rudy Paige and Juan De Jongh, two rugby powerhouses who’ve not only conquered the rugby field but are now poised to conquer the airwaves. While Rudy may have hung up his boots, his passion for the game has grown stronger as he now shares it as a dedicated coach.

On the other hand, Juan continues to shine on the field as a key player for Western Province. But together, they form the ideal duo to host the “Behind The Ruck” podcast.

Rudy and Juan divulge their past experiences, analyse ongoing matches, and offer unique perspectives on the latest rugby news and headlines. But there’s more to it than that – they’ll also take you behind the scenes of their off-field interests and engage in captivating conversations with special guests that will leave you both in stitches and awe.

As Rudy and Juan describe it, “Behind The Ruck” was born from a desire to present a distinct narrative in South African rugby. These dynamic individuals recognised an unexplored niche in the market, where the voices of players were underrepresented.

They envisioned a platform where they could share their personal stories, inspire the younger generation, and connect with fellow rugby enthusiasts on a personal level. They believe that by sharing their challenges, experiences, and unique sense of humour, they can motivate and uplift the next generation of rugby players. In Juan’s words, “We wanted to craft our own narrative, not the one we’re expected to tell.”

“Podcasting fosters engaging connections with your audience. It nurtures a sense of community and connection, especially in the realm of sports, which serves as a cultural bridge among people. Since we share our personal thoughts and viewpoints, we find that our audience enjoys it. It’s unscripted, giving us the freedom to express our genuine thoughts and ask questions that other rugby shows might not. The ability to share the experiences we’ve been through ourselves makes it truly special.”

“Behind The Ruck” has already featured an impressive line-up of guests, including Marvin Orie, Raymond Rhule, Malakai Fekitoa, Warrick Gelant, Gio Aplon, Morne Steyn, JJ Fredericks, and Salmaan Moerat. Each episode is a voyage into the heart and soul of rugby, filled with laughter, inspiration, and unforgettable stories.

“Behind The Ruck” is not simply a podcast; it’s a celebration of rugby, camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of its hosts, Rudy Paige and Juan De Jongh.

Why a podcast?

We are doing this so people can get to know the person behind the rugby player. There is so much more to the players than just rugby.

We love that we get to explore what they do outside of rugby, their thoughts, and their challenges. We want you to join us on this journey. The best example of this was our interview with Warrick (Gelant). We enjoyed it because it allowed our listeners to discover another side of Warrick…something they hadn’t seen before.

Your podcast, “Behind The Ruck,” has gained quite a following in such a short period. Can you share a memorable behind-the-scenes moment from one of your podcast episodes?

We had a lot of fun shooting the World Cup Announcement Episode. The energy was high, and we were excited. It was also the first Episode we did solo with no special guest, we were excited yet scared, however, we loved every minute of it.

As prominent former/current rugby players, do you believe your former careers in rugby offer an advantage going forward in terms of content?

Definitely. We know we had standing followings and we wanted to use our platforms to bring something fresh to SA Rugby. All rugby shows in SA are built around the same narrative. This is something fresh, no rules. We make it up as we go.

From the Springboks to the Stormers to the Blue Bulls… How has a rugby career helped set the platform for podcast careers?
Our careers have given us a platform to start this, however, our careers have also given us opportunities to meet overseas players and have experiences we want to share.

What advice do you have for individuals who aspire to start their own podcast but may be hesitant to take the leap?

Just start it, and be consistent. We were scared we didn’t know if we would have viewers or if it would succeed. Yet we committed to releasing content weekly and haven’t looked back since.

How do you ensure that your podcast aligns with your values and contributes to making a positive impact in the world of sports?
By being honest. We know that we want fair treatment. We have pure intentions, but most importantly we want to have fun.

Can you share an example of how you have leveraged technology or digital advancements to enhance your podcast operations or reach a wider audience?

By partnering with reputable brands and by having a professional set-up. Ensure we give the users quality content that looks professional.

Talk us through the other side of podcasting – what happens after the interview when it comes to editing, and compiling the final product?
The hard part. We watch it a few times, and ensure we are happy with the content we put out. We create reels based on funny moments or interesting parts of the interviews for social media, but we try to keep most of the content as is, in order for it to look authentic.

When it comes to your podcast, do you have a team that assists you behind the scenes, or are you doing all the integral work from editing, compiling, seeking guests, and so forth, yourself?

We currently have a professional production company assisting us with recording in the studio and editing etc. We want to ensure the quality content we give to the viewers is of a high nature. We know we are not perfect and we can only improve but we strive to put out great content. We are in the process of looking at securing a studio space that viewers will love.

You recently interviewed the likes of All Black and Tongan Player, Malakai Fekitoa. What did you take away from his interview?

The gentleman he is. In the interview, Juan shared a story of what he did for him while playing with him at Wasps. Again, those are the things you do not hear in a TV interview. It’s the personal insights that we share with our audience that stand out the most.

Professional Rugby Player, Marvin Orie has years of experience behind his name. What was it like having him on the show and what key message did you take away from the interview?

Marvin is a close friend and as Rudy mentioned they were roommates/housemates for years. The thing that stood out most was the hard work that goes in while in the Springbok Camp. The little time you have with your family, as in the interview he mentioned how he was away from his newborn. It again puts things in perspective, how hard these guys work and what they sacrifice to play for their country.

Raymond Rhule offered some entertaining content. What is one highlight from that interview?

How successful he has been at La Rochelle and all he has achieved overseas. A double championship win back to back. It needs to be celebrated yet he remains humble. It’s just so good to see how SA players are doing great things overseas.

Tune in, laugh along, and be inspired as they share their remarkable journey and uncover the untold stories of rugby.

Follow “Behind The Ruck” on:
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@behindtheruckpodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/behindtheruckpodcast
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Twitter: twitter.com/behindtheruck_
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5yFCuVtaACcdWHgSSYLajc?si=3ddd59fcd1e24968