Episode 90: Why South Africans Revere the Scrum! | With Tank Lanning

Harry Jones hosts this special episode of the Lekker Rugby Pod as he welcomes scrum guru Tank Lanning for a passionate and detailed dive into the heart of rugby’s most misunderstood art. From coaching boys to analysing elite front row battles, Tank brings a lifetime of experience to the table — and he isn’t here to sugarcoat anything.Tank shares how he prepares players with “neck primers,” why props with no necks are built for battle, and how modern rugby can’t afford to lose its connection to the scrum. He breaks down the key differences between looseheads and tightheads, explains why timing matters more than brute strength, and gives insight into how players like Neethling Fouché are evolving their technique centimetre by centimetre.The conversation moves from coaching metaphors like “mole hunting” and “sledgehammers with blades” to a bigger discussion about how rugby’s obsession with speed and spectacle could sideline one of its most sacred elements. Tank and Harry argue that scrums should be celebrated, taught, and embraced — not hidden or rushed through.They also talk about Rassie Erasmus’ vision for the Bok pack, the thinking behind the Bomb Squad, and why the maul might just be legalised obstruction in disguise — but a necessary one in today’s tactical landscape.Scrums are man-on-man warfare - This episode shows you why that still matters!