Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp , this podcast dives into performance, mindset, and resilience. With insights from athletes, coaches, and leaders, we explore the lessons rugby teaches about successāboth on and off the field.
Perfect for rugby enthusiasts, coaches, and anyone seeking inspiration to elevate their game and life.
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Bought a French Rugby Club for ā¬1 ā Then Walked Away | Flip van der Merwe
Episode 122
Saturday, May 30, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:29:11
Flip van der Merwe ā 30-cap Springbok, back-to-back Super Rugby champion with the Bulls, Cambridge MBA holder, data strategist, and the man who bought Biarritz Olympic for one euro ā sits down with Coach G for one of the most honest conversations yet on the show.
This isn't a greatest-hits career recap. It's a real discussion about identity, failure, late blooming, mental health, and what happens when the game ends.
What you'll hear:
How Flip played just 7 games in 4 years at the Cheetahs ā and why it made him
Getting called up to the Springboks from a camping holiday in Namibia, 18 hours from Cape Town
The lineout philosophy Victor Matfield installed that still holds up today
Buying Biarritz Olympic for ā¬1 ā and why he walked away 7 months later
The loneliness and identity crisis that hit after rugby ended
Studying for a master's in big data and an MBA at Cambridge while playing professionally
Why AI is transforming rugby coaching ā and what teams are getting wrong about it
00:00 The Journey Begins: Rugby and Life Balance
09:51 Overcoming Challenges: The Path to Professional Rugby
20:00 Debut and Family Legacy: The Springbok Experience
29:50 The Art of Lineouts: Learning from Legends
30:21 Cultural Differences in Lineout Strategies
34:10 Balancing Rugby and Education
35:33 The Journey of Continuous Learning
42:20 Transitioning from Rugby to Data Strategy
46:01 Leveraging AI in Rugby Coaching
52:07 Enhancing Player Development with AI
56:20 Ensuring Data Security in Rugby
58:28 Reflecting on Fond Memories with the Bulls
01:02:12 The Journey of Buying Beer Rits
01:05:46 Cultural Shock in French Rugby
01:10:51 Personal Transformation and Health Challenges
01:16:40 Navigating Mental Health Post-Rugby
01:23:20 Insights from Coaching with Rassie Erasmus
Honest. Sharp. Elite.
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Bob Skinstad | First Pro, The Dark Side of Winning & Life After Rugby
Episode 121
Saturday, May 23, 2026 ā¢ Duration 58:33
Bob Skinstad. 42 Springbok caps. The first professional rugby player signed in South Africa. Venture capitalist. Club owner.
And one of the most honest people Coach G has ever shared a dressing room with.
This is not a highlights reel. This is a real conversation about what happens when the final whistle blows ā and no one's prepared you for what comes next.
In this episode:
The mental crash that follows winning ā and why players spiral without the right tools
The "big hollow": depression, self-doubt, and what Bob wishes someone had told him earlier
How he started building business skills during his playing career while most players stopped being curious
The brutal reality of owning a French rugby club as a South African outsider
Why being paid to play rugby can quietly destroy your hunger and work ethic
AI in rugby ā what it can and can't replace, and why the human element still leads
Protecting your energy as an empath, and what years of giving to others costs you
Bob doesn't pretend to have it all figured out. That's exactly what makes this episode so valuable.
21:00 The First Professional Rugby Player in South Africa
25:51 The Mental Crash After the Highs of Professional Rugby
Drew Mitchell | The Void Elite Rugby Leaves and How You Fill It
Episode 120
Saturday, May 16, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:35:15
Drew Mitchell played 71 tests for Australia, scored 14 World Cup tries across three tournaments, and won back-to-back European Champions Cups with Toulon.
He did it all clinically blind in his right eye ā a fact he hid from clubs, coaches, and medical teams for his entire career.
In this episode of The Coach G Show, Drew sits down with Coach G for a wide-open conversation about the parts of an elite rugby career nobody talks about.
What you'll hear:
The blind right eye he concealed from French club medicals to protect his contract
Why he retired on Twitter ā mid-season, unannounced ā and never looked back
The social anxiety, identity loss, and breakdown moment that hit after the jersey came off
Learning to fly helicopters to replace the adrenaline rugby gave him
How George Gregan's "Apples" callout turned him into a harder player
His zero-routine game day that always ended the same way ā vomiting before kickoff
What really held the Toulon Galacticos together when egos could have torn it apart
Why therapy was the most important thing he did before the problems started
00:00 ā Cold Open: "I'm done with rugby"
01:00 ā Introduction: Drew Mitchell's career
01:37 ā Life after Toulon / living in Bondi
03:15 ā Relationship with training post-rugby
06:23 ā "Chubb Club" and fat club stories
07:30 ā Playing international rugby blind in one eye
13:04 ā How he overcame the obstacle and kept it quiet
14:44 ā Family, discipline, and what drove him as a kid
Scott Spedding: From SA Outcast to France International
Episode 119
Saturday, May 9, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:12:58
Scott Spedding walked away from South Africa at 22 with almost nothing ā because his own attitude had closed nearly every door behind him.
What followed was one of rugby's most unexpected journeys: from scrapping in French junior rugby to earning 23 caps for the French national team.
In this episode, Scott and Coach G go deep on the decisions, obsessions, sacrifices, and setbacks that defined a remarkable career ā and what the transition out of rugby really looks like when no one has the answer.
What you'll take from this episode:
Why bad attitude at 19 nearly ended his career before it started
How obsession ā even when it went too far ā drove him onto the French team
The night Serge Blanco knocked on his door and changed everything
How Joe Rokocoko kept him focused play by play through the most important game of his life
The criticism he faced for wearing the French jersey as a South African
Why the rugby network is one of the most underused assets former players have
The financial advice every professional player needs to hear before it's too late
0:00 Intro
1:47 Meet Scott Spedding
2:10 Life in Southwest France
4:31 Why He Left South Africa at 22
7:18 The Mentors Who Changed Everything
9:59 What It Really Takes to Listen
13:16 Arrogance, Mistakes & Hard Lessons
14:57 The Toughest Years in French Rugby
16:54 When Playing for France Became the Obsession
Steven Kitshoff | Career Over, Bomb Squad Origin & Springbok Scrum Secrets
Episode 118
Friday, May 1, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:09:08
Steve Kitshoff. Springbok legend. Bomb Squad co-founder. A man who was 2mm from never walking again.
In this episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G sits down with one of the greatest loosehead props to ever play the game for a conversation that covers the full spectrum ā from school rugby fundamentals to building a licensing empire, and from scrum mechanics to the mental shift required when everything you've built your identity around is suddenly gone.
What you'll learn in this episode:
The career-ending neck injury Steve never saw coming ā and the moment everything became clear
The Bomb Squad origin story: how a boardroom conversation with Rassie became a beer, a clothing line, and a national licensing brand
The 3 pillars of scrum dominance every prop needs to develop ā conditioning, power transfer, and unit understanding
What makes the Springbok scrum the most destructive in world rugby right now
Rassie's philosophy: "right players, not best players" ā and why it changed everything
How Steve overcame imposter syndrome in the business world
Practical advice for young props, parents of junior players, and anyone navigating a major life transition
00:00 Cold Open & The Spicy Plum Nickname
01:32 Introducing Steve Kitshoff
05:35 School Rugby & The Foundation Years at Paul Roos
08:28 Mentors & Players Who Shaped His Career
14:17 The State of Scrummaging Today
19:22 3 Keys to Scrum Dominance for Props
24:00 What Parents of Young Players Need to Know
27:48 Quickfire Scrum Questions
Top 14 Preview: Staff Budgets, Player Pathways & Playoff Race ā Damien Dussault
Friday, April 24, 2026 ā¢ Duration 52:48
The Top 14 is the most intense domestic rugby competition in the world ā and with five games left, the race for playoffs, Champions Cup qualification, and survival is wide open.
Coach G sits down with French rugby agent Damien Dussaut to pull back the curtain on what's really happening inside the Top 14: the staff budgets clubs don't want you to see, the unconventional player journeys that challenge everything we think about recruitment, and why some clubs thrive on half the budget of their rivals.
What you'll learn:
ā Why Toulouse's 60-player depth makes them nearly impossible to derailā The real numbers: staff and player salary breakdowns across Top 14 clubsā Aaron Grandidier's path from self-filmed highlight reels to Olympic goldā How Levani Botia went from walking 30km to training in Fiji to becoming a La Rochelle iconā What Damien means when he says "players are Ferraris ā staff are the mechanics"ā The recruitment trap most clubs fall into and why the best signing isn't always the best CVā Why mental performance coaching is the most underexplored edge in professional rugby
00:00 - The Recruitment Lie Clubs Tell Themselves
00:59 - Welcome & Introduction
02:29 - Toulouse's Bounce Back & The Benjamin Bertrand Story
09:18 - Inside the Toulouse Machine: Depth, Culture & Youth
11:32 - Top 14 Standings & The Playoff Race
13:44 - Managing Two Competitions: Squad Rotation & Injuries
15:33 - Champions Cup Money & The Pau Model
18:08 - Stade FranƧais: From Chaos to Contenders
23:54 - Why Foreign Coaches Struggle in France
26:27 - Aaron Grandidier: Back Yourself & Think Outside the Box
The War on the Scrum | Cheat Codes, Parents & the Scrum Dominator Mindset
Episode 116
Saturday, April 18, 2026 ā¢ Duration 35:11
The scrum is one of the most contested elements in rugby ā and right now, there are serious forces pushing to have it removed from the game entirely.
This podcast is Sponsored by USN : https://za.usn.global
In this solo episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp ā former Springbok, World Cup winner, two-time European champion as a coach) goes deep on why the scrum matters, what's going wrong at every level, and what players, coaches, and parents need to do about it.
This is one of the most direct, honest conversations about the scrum you'll hear anywhere.
What you'll learn:
Why removing the scrum would damage rugby's identity and inclusivity
The clear difference between dark arts and cheat codes ā and why it's a values issue
The four phases of the scrum and what each one demands from players
Practical steps parents can take to help their child become a better scrummager
What the Scrum Dominator Mindset really means ā and how it applies beyond rugby
Why referees struggle to police scrums and what needs to change
The FAST method for accelerating learning in sport and life
00:00 ā The Forces Trying to Remove the Scrum
00:45 ā What Is the Scrum Dominator Mindset?
04:20 ā Bullet Journaling, Reading & Building Player Habits
06:23 ā USN Sponsor Message
06:49 ā How the Scrum Actually Works (Explained Simply)
09:00 ā The Scrum & Inclusivity: Where Do the Big Players Go?
11:20 ā Dark Arts vs Cheat Codes: The Real Difference
15:55 ā The Four Phases of the Scrum
The Biggest Game in France : Bordeaux vs Toulouse
Episode 115
Saturday, April 11, 2026 ā¢ Duration 47:59
Bordeaux host Toulouse in what could be the most loaded quarter-final in French rugby history. Coach G and agent Damien Dusseau go deep on the game, the politics, and the human stories behind the players.
This episode goes beyond World Cup headlines and social media moments. Nadine opens up about what has changed, what still needs to change, and the personal journey that shaped her into one of the most exciting players in the game.
Inside this episode:
The reality for Springbok Women after the World Cup
Why sponsorship and structure still matter
What South Africa needs to close the gap on the top nations
Why girlsā rugby in schools is such a big issue
How her grandmother helped shape her life
lessons on discipline, adversity, and belief
her message to the next generation of female athletes
Chapters:
00:00 Womenās rugby stigma in South Africa
01:46 Intro: Nadine Roos joins the show
03:34 What changed after the World Cup?
07:23 Recognition and role models
12:46 How South Africa reached the quarter-final
18:05 What South Africa still lacks
28:15 Why girlsā rugby in schools still struggles
35:13 Nadineās upbringing and her grandmother
Gordon Pretorius on Rugby IQ and Smarter Coaching
Episode 113
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 ā¢ Duration 01:24:48
Why do players train well during the week, then fail to transfer it on Saturday?
In this episode, Gordon Pretorius joins The Coach G Show to unpack one of the biggest problems in rugby coaching: players getting overloaded with information and not learning well enough under pressure.
Gordon is a coach and university educator based in the Netherlands, and this conversation sits right at the intersection of rugby, learning, performance, and coach development.
Youāll hear:
Why great training does not always lead to great performance
How coaches overload players without realizing it
Why chaos and unpredictability matter in rugby training
How to improve meetings, learning, and retention
What working memory means in a rugby context
How players can better remember roles, calls, and key actions
Smart ways coaches can use AI to improve planning and feedback
This is a practical episode for rugby coaches, players, and anyone trying to build better performance through better learning.
Listen, follow, and share with a coach or player who needs this conversation.
32:35 Coping Mechanisms Alcohol and the Evolution of Self-Awareness
34:30 Challenges Facing Modern Players
41:44 AI in Rugby and High Performance Sport
47:24 How Coaches Can Use AI to Save Time
49:40 Would Bob Come Back as a Prop
Whether you're a player navigating the transition, a coach building something on the side, or a leader in any high-pressure environment ā there is something in here for you.
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18:46 ā Making the Wallabies and the gym reality check
21:13 ā Why respect is the only currency that matters
22:36 ā Rugby union over rugby league ā the real reason
26:29 ā Bond with Gits, Ashley Cooper, and the podcast
31:12 ā The Twitter retirement nobody saw coming
36:13 ā Flying helicopters to fill the void
41:38 ā Selling pubs, finding structure, and commercial real estate
45:06 ā Mental health, anxiety, therapy, and breaking down in the car
51:34 ā Starting at 60kg in the Reds Academy
54:36 ā The "Apples" story with George Gregan
57:32 ā Pre-game routine: chaos, calm, and vomiting every test
1:00:22 ā Australian sledging culture on the field
1:07:59 ā Inside the Toulon Galacticos era
1:13:44 ā What actually built the culture at Toulon
1:14:49 ā Johnny Wilkinson's habits up close
1:19:43 ā The New York Marathon and Busta Rhymes
1:27:10 ā Final question: reincarnated as which prop?
This one covers the full picture ā career, character, culture, and the messy reality of life on the other side of elite sport.
Listen, follow, and share with anyone who loves rugby, high performance, or honest conversations.
20:26 What the Obsession Actually Looked Like
25:30 On Balance vs Going All In
26:40 Serge Blanco at the Door & the Plane Ticket Moment
31:15 Facing Criticism as a Foreigner in the French Team
37:46 Greatest Players He Shared a Changing Room With
42:44 What Transformed French Rugby
50:37 2023 World Cup Quarterfinal France vs South Africa
51:48 Life After Rugby Property Meat Business & Safari Lodge
59:05 The Real Value of a Rugby Network
1:03:48 What He Would Do Differently
1:09:45 Final Advice for Players & The Money Conversation
A raw, honest, and genuinely inspiring conversation for players, coaches, and anyone chasing something that feels just out of reach.
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29:06 Why the Springbok Scrum Is So Destructive
34:52 The Bomb Squad Origin Story
40:33 Business Lessons from Rugby Leadership
45:49 The Career-Ending Neck Injury
49:57 Life After Rugby & What Comes Next
53:11 Advice for Players Still Playing
This is a conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.
š§ Listen, follow, and share with anyone who plays, coaches, or loves rugby.
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30:30 - The Recruitment Trap Most Clubs Fall Into
34:41 - Levani Botia: A Living Legend Re-Signs at La Rochelle
44:54 - Players Are Ferraris ā Staff Are the Mechanics
49:38 - The Mental Game: Rugby's Final Frontier
Whether you're a player trying to get noticed, a coach building a programme, or a fan who wants to understand what happens behind the scenes ā this is essential listening.
Listen now. Follow the show. Share it with someone in rugby who needs to hear this.
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18:20 ā Player Safety, the Break Foot & Young Players Copying Cheat Codes
21:00 ā Who Is Responsible for the Scrum?
24:00 ā Practical Advice for Parents: How to Help Your Child
29:45 ā Spine in Line, Hip Drive & Home Training Exercises
31:00 ā Inside the Scrum Dominator Community (Resources & Courses)
34:26 ā What's Coming to the Community
36:45 ā The FAST Method: How to Learn & Level Up
38:30 ā Closing Thoughts & Thank You
Coach G also shares his personal story ā from a self-described chubby, friendless kid who found identity and belonging through the scrum, to one of the most respected forwards coaches in European rugby.
If you coach props, play in the front row, or want to help a young player improve ā this episode is essential listening.
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29:20 Coach burnout in Top 14 rugby
38:49 How coaches can protect their energy and mind
45:45 Damien Dussault + Scrum Dominator Mindset
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43:05 University, bursary, and first rugby income
49:04 Missing parents, gratitude, and support
56:24 Advice for young female athletes
1:00:21 Social media, discipline, and modern pressure
1:06:06 Final thanks
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Listen now, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who cares about rugby, growth, and opportunity.
The Coach G Show, a podcast by Gurthro Steenkamp - Stats, Episodes and Rankings - My Podcast Data
