Author: Toby Shapshak

Software is one of the great enablers of this vast information economy we now live in. I use Microsoft Word to write a column, Excel to run my small business, and a host of other now-essential services for email hosting (Gmail), security (Kaspersky), and presentations (Keynote). Not to mention the new growth area of cloud storage (Google wants to upgrade me from 200GB a year to 2TB a month if I want it), proving just how much of our work lives are now thoroughly online. There are some jobs, even industries, that would not exist without the enabling software – especially…

At the glittering launch of a major bank’s new features a couple of years back, the CEO asked me excitedly afterwards: What do you think? I really thought about my answer and replied: “I don’t know who you thought you were talking to, but it wasn’t me (the customer). You were talking to yourself.” I realised he was talking to his own staff in the language they understand, using the catch phrases the bank had recently adopted. I understood what all the big words meant, and the presentation was great, but none of the things being so excitedly talked about…

Not so long ago, Lego proved itself to be a more profitable investment than gold. This was before gold hit $4,000 an ounce (30g) this year. But it was only a mere four years ago that an academic paper found Lego had a higher return on investment than the shiny stuff (before gold quadrupled in value). The researchers from the Higher School of Economics in Russia argued that “secondary market prices of retired Lego sets grow by 11% annually, which is faster than gold, stocks, and bonds” in the Research in International Business and Finance journal in 2021. Although this is clearly no longer the case, it’s an…

A third number five lock in two weeks is enough maths for this podcast, as Rassie Erasmus fields his strongest side against Ireland, the one side that has been able to unlock the Springboks, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper many moons ago. Welcome to Stuff Rugby. Listen to Stuff Rugby on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Digging deep two weeks in a row, the Springboks proved (again) that they can win with 14 men. If Rassie Erasmus wanted to build experience in pressure situations, these two intense Tests have been a boon, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper many moons ago. Welcome to Stuff Rugby. Listen to Stuff Rugby on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Against minnows Italy, coach Rassie Erasmus has given his dirt trackers a run…. Including double World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper many moons ago. Welcome to Stuff Rugby. Listen to Stuff Rugby on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Captain courageous Kolisi leads from the front – and the sidelines – as we saw in his 100th Test when Lood de Jager’s red card saw him sacrificed at half time. Along with Andre the Giant, the newest hybrid player, the 14-man Springboks turned Le Grudge match into a triumph for centurion Kolisi, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail…

Siya Kolisi, the captain of South Africa, is running out for his 100th Test in coach Rassie Erasmus’s 50th game in charge. After the extraordinary Springbok win in the 2023 World Cup quarter final (called the best rugby match ever by some), the losing team are calling this a “grudge match”, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper…

I have discovered that I belong to a certain user group. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it yet. I only recently realised this when I was walking around Menlyn Shopping Mall in Pretoria last week, just looking at the amazing Lego creations on display. It was the annual Lego Brickfair, a two-day event showcasing Lego fans and their creations. They’re truly amazing. Some are extraordinary, some even mind-blowing. And I haven’t gotten to the Star Wars sets yet… I was fascinated, and my eight-year-old son even more so. Although I’m the one who took 248 photos. I know that Lego fans think of themselves as being part of a user group after I spotted enough T-shirts with “LUG” on…

Rassie Erasmus’ bold selection of 21-year-old tighthead Zachary Porthen has set tongues wagging, even as the coach leaves legends at home. The changing of the guard is fully underway, Andy Capostagno tells Toby Shapshak. Andy Capostagno has been talking and writing about South African rugby for more than three decades. He’s been my emotional support person for rugby since I was lucky enough to meet him when I was unexpectedly made the sports editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper many moons ago. Welcome to Stuff Rugby. Listen to Stuff Rugby on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Previous episode: Springboks retain Rugby Champs.…