Explore every episode of the podcast The Coach G Show

Flip van der Merwe — 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 — sits down with Coach G for one of the most honest conversations yet on the show.

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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 — 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 €1 — 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 — 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. 42 Springbok caps. The first professional rugby player signed in South Africa. Venture capitalist. Club owner.

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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 — and no one's prepared you for what comes next.

In this episode:

• The mental crash that follows winning — 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 — 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.

00:00 Intro & Bob's Current World

03:24 Managing Multiple Projects & Staying Focused

05:22 The Challenge of French Rugby Culture

16:56 USN Sponsor Message

17:30 Bob's Journey From Player to Businessman

21:00 The First Professional Rugby Player in South Africa

25:51 The Mental Crash After the Highs of Professional Rugby

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 — there is something in here for you.

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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.

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He did it all clinically blind in his right eye — 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 — mid-season, unannounced — 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 — 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 – Cold Open: "I'm done with rugby"

01:00 – Introduction: Drew Mitchell's career

01:37 – Life after Toulon / living in Bondi

03:15 – Relationship with training post-rugby

06:23 – "Chubb Club" and fat club stories

07:30 – Playing international rugby blind in one eye

13:04 – How he overcame the obstacle and kept it quiet

14:44 – Family, discipline, and what drove him as a kid

18:46 – Making the Wallabies and the gym reality check

21:13 – Why respect is the only currency that matters

22:36 – Rugby union over rugby league — the real reason

26:29 – Bond with Gits, Ashley Cooper, and the podcast

31:12 – The Twitter retirement nobody saw coming

36:13 – Flying helicopters to fill the void

41:38 – Selling pubs, finding structure, and commercial real estate

45:06 – Mental health, anxiety, therapy, and breaking down in the car

51:34 – Starting at 60kg in the Reds Academy

54:36 – The "Apples" story with George Gregan

57:32 – Pre-game routine: chaos, calm, and vomiting every test

1:00:22 – Australian sledging culture on the field

1:07:59 – Inside the Toulon Galacticos era

1:13:44 – What actually built the culture at Toulon

1:14:49 – Johnny Wilkinson's habits up close

1:19:43 – The New York Marathon and Busta Rhymes

1:27:10 – Final question: reincarnated as which prop?

This one covers the full picture — 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.

Scott Spedding walked away from South Africa at 22 with almost nothing — because his own attitude had closed nearly every door behind him.

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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 — 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 — even when it went too far — 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

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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Steve Kitshoff. Springbok legend. Bomb Squad co-founder. A man who was 2mm from never walking again.

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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 — 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 — 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 — 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" — 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

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.

🎧 Listen, follow, and share with anyone who plays, coaches, or loves rugby.

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The Top 14 is the most intense domestic rugby competition in the world — and with five games left, the race for playoffs, Champions Cup qualification, and survival is wide open.

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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:

— Why Toulouse's 60-player depth makes them nearly impossible to derail— The real numbers: staff and player salary breakdowns across Top 14 clubs— Aaron Grandidier's path from self-filmed highlight reels to Olympic gold— How Levani Botia went from walking 30km to training in Fiji to becoming a La Rochelle icon— What Damien means when he says "players are Ferraris — staff are the mechanics"— The recruitment trap most clubs fall into and why the best signing isn't always the best CV— 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 Français: From Chaos to Contenders

23:54 - Why Foreign Coaches Struggle in France

26:27 - Aaron Grandidier: Back Yourself & Think Outside the Box

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 — 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 — this is essential listening.

Listen now. Follow the show. Share it with someone in rugby who needs to hear this.

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The scrum is one of the most contested elements in rugby — and right now, there are serious forces pushing to have it removed from the game entirely.

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This podcast is Sponsored by USN : https://za.usn.global

In this solo episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp — 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 — 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 — 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 – The Forces Trying to Remove the Scrum

00:45 – What Is the Scrum Dominator Mindset?

04:20 – Bullet Journaling, Reading & Building Player Habits

06:23 – USN Sponsor Message

06:49 – How the Scrum Actually Works (Explained Simply)

09:00 – The Scrum & Inclusivity: Where Do the Big Players Go?

11:20 – Dark Arts vs Cheat Codes: The Real Difference

15:55 – The Four Phases of the Scrum

18:20 – Player Safety, the Break Foot & Young Players Copying Cheat Codes

21:00 – Who Is Responsible for the Scrum?

24:00 – Practical Advice for Parents: How to Help Your Child

29:45 – Spine in Line, Hip Drive & Home Training Exercises

31:00 – Inside the Scrum Dominator Community (Resources & Courses)

34:26 – What's Coming to the Community

36:45 – The FAST Method: How to Learn & Level Up

38:30 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

Coach G also shares his personal story — 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 — this episode is essential listening.

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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.

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What you'll get from this episode:

• Full breakdown of UBB vs Stade Toulouse — matchups, tactics, and what to watch
• The coaching succession race: Hugo Mola or Yannick Bru for France after Galtier?
• Cameron Woki's comeback — how leaving Bordeaux made him a complete player
• Teddy Thomas at 32: why the most criticised player in France is now one of the best
• The burnout crisis hitting Top 14 coaches — and why French rugby is brutal on managers
• Why giving players freedom and joy is the secret weapon of both clubs
• The importance of blank space, morning routines, and mental resets for coaches

Two friends with deep rugby knowledge, no filter, and genuine insight into what's happening in France right now.

🎙️ Listen, follow, and share with anyone in rugby.

Chapters:

00:00 The clash of titans begins

01:11 Intro: Bordeaux vs Toulouse + coach burnout

03:40 Why this game is so big in France

05:44 Galthié succession talk: Ugo Mola vs Yannick Bru

09:37 Key matchups and players to watch

16:06 Freedom, expression, and team environment

18:00 Sponsor message: USN

18:29 Player growth: LBB, Woki, Teddy Thomas, Jelonch

27:49 The knockout path after this quarter-final

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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Springbok Women star Nadine Roos joins Coach G for a powerful conversation on the real state of women’s rugby in South Africa.

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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 girls’ 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 Women’s 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 girls’ rugby in schools still struggles

35:13 Nadine’s upbringing and her grandmother

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.

Why do players train well during the week, then fail to transfer it on Saturday?

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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.

You’ll 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.

What does success really mean when the rugby career ends?

In this episode of The Coach G Show, Schalk Brits shares a brutally honest look at life after rugby, the challenge of transition, the standards inside Saracens and the Springboks, and why purpose has to be bigger than trophies.

This conversation is packed with lessons for players, coaches, parents, and high-performance people.

• Why joy should be the foundation of sport

• How coaches can either free a player or box them in

• The real reason Rassie Erasmus brought him back

• What made the 2019 Springboks so powerful

• Why winning alone can destroy culture

• The emotional reality of retirement from elite sport

• How young players should think about money, mentors, and life after rugby

Chapters:
00:00 Life after rugby, family and why sport must be enjoyed01:11 Intro to Schalk Brits03:16 Transitioning from rugby into business05:38 Family, fatherhood and winning in life08:14 Playing style, freedom and coaching16:20 The Rassie Erasmus call-up story25:20 Saracens culture and the Springbok environment34:12 Why winning can damage culture44:41 Why Schalk was brought back49:32 The hard truth about retirement57:03 Mentors, balance and family1:04:57 Advice for the next generation1:08:24 Financial planning and investing in your future self

This is a deep conversation on identity, resilience, leadership, family, and building a life beyond the game.

Listen, follow, and share with someone who needs this episode.

Why does France vs England feel bigger than rugby?

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In this short-form episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G is joined by Damien Dussault to unpack the emotion, history, culture, and pressure behind Le Crunch.

This is not just a match preview. It is a conversation about rivalry, national identity, public pressure, and why this fixture still hits differently in French rugby.

Inside this episode:

• Why the term Le Crunch matters

• The deeper history behind France vs England

• Why French fans take this fixture so personally

• France’s reaction after the Scotland defeat

• What the French media meant by “Le Clac”

• Fabien Galthié’s unusual ballet move before the game

• Henry Pollock, pressure, and the edge of modern rivalry

Chapters:
00:00 Intro — Why Le Crunch is different01:02 Damien Dussault joins the show02:04 Why France vs England feels personal05:08 Why French fans treat this match differently07:13 France’s loss to Scotland and lessons from it09:00 “Le Clac” — the French media reaction13:32 Why Galthié took the team to the ballet17:53 Henry Pollock and the mind games21:43 France’s special-edition jersey23:48 French rugby news and players to watch27:09 Final thoughts + Coach G Level Up

A sharp rugby conversation for fans, players, coaches, and anyone who loves the psychology behind big games.

Listen, follow, and share the episode with another rugby person.

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CJ Stander went from farm life in South Africa to the Bulls, Munster, Ireland and one of the toughest retirement decisions in rugby.

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In this conversation with Coach G, he opens up on work ethic, leadership, identity, family, and what it takes to build a second life after professional sport.

• The farm mindset that shaped him

• How he realised pro rugby was possible

• Why he left South Africa for Munster

• The decision to represent Ireland

• How he earned trust and became a leader

• Why he retired at 31

• What life after rugby really looks like

Chapters:

00:00 Farm mindset, setbacks and showing up

01:33 Welcome to the episode

07:09 Growing up on the farm in George

12:38 When CJ realised pro rugby was possible

24:29 Why he left the Bulls for Munster

31:18 How Ireland became a real option

37:54 His Ireland debut vs Wales

40:40 Leadership, trust and earning respect

48:30 Why he retired at 31

55:05 Life after rugby: business, property and farming

01:06:45 Feeling out of depth after rugby

01:12:08 Final lessons and wrap-up

Listen, follow and share this episode with someone navigating rugby, leadership or life after sport.

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What actually makes a great defensive team in rugby?

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In this short-form episode of The Coach G Show, Omar Mouneimne breaks down the core fundamentals of defense and why so many coaches get it wrong by focusing on systems before physicality.

This episode is packed with practical insight for coaches, players, and anyone who wants to understand how great defenses are built.

You’ll learn:

• Why you must choose a clear defensive identity

• The difference between soft drift, press and check, blitz, and sonic blitz

• Why physicality is the base of every strong defense

• How conditioning shapes your ability to defend for 80 minutes

• Why technical detail comes before tactical adjustments

• Why many blitz systems fail in matches

• How to manage fatigue and stay connected defensively

00:00 Why most coaches get defense wrong00:29 Choose your defensive style first02:09 Why physicality is the real base04:42 Technical before tactical05:48 Coach G reacts to the physicality point07:37 Soft drift vs press vs blitz vs sonic blitz09:59 Why teams chase fake space11:32 What to do when fatigue hits

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Listen, follow, and share this episode with a coach or player who wants to understand rugby defense at a deeper level.

Eddie Jones doesn’t sugarcoat coaching.

In this episode of The Coach G Show, Eddie Jones breaks down what it really takes to coach under pressure, handle player power, and build winning culture in modern rugby—drawing on 2007 Springboks memories, Japan’s 2015 upset, and decades at the top level.

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You’ll learn:

• The ABC rule every coach should live by

• How to balance long-term vision with short-term results

• Why “players aren’t your friends” (and what they actually need)

• How to handle bad habits and “false professionalism”

• Why identity matters more than ever for the new generation

• How to run meetings that players actually remember

• What Japan did to beat the Springboks in 2015

• How elite coaches reset after heartbreak

Chapters

00:00 Coaching pressure: survive + win short-term

01:41 Intro: Eddie Jones joins Coach G

02:42 2007 Springboks World Cup: what really mattered

06:20 ABC coaching: confirm learning

07:45 How rugby changed: power game + ball-in-play reality

11:20 France, Dupont, Ramos + the evolving attack game

14:04 “Know your DNA”: prioritising what wins

18:48 Building teams under public pressure

23:07 Player power: Saracens story + setting parameters

26:15 Why players aren’t your friends (and what to be instead)

29:57 Fixing bad habits: isolate the ringleader

33:14 New generation culture: identity first

37:15 Getting players to talk (without fear of “dislikes”)

40:36 Better meetings: hooks, 3 points, check understanding

42:32 Japan vs Springboks 2015: the preparation & belief

48:28 Coping with finals and big disappointments

51:30 Championship hangover: leadership and complacency

53:44 Coach performance habits: routine + growth plan

If this helped you, follow the podcast, share it with a coach or player, and listen again with a notebook.

Top 14 isn’t just “more games” — it’s a system. In this episode, Coach G sits down with Damien Dussault to break down what’s actually happening in French rugby right now: squad rules, salary cap strategy, academy production, and why coaching in France can be mentally brutal.

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You’ll learn:

• Why 19 France players get “protected” on bye weeks

• How clubs use Espoirs to survive the Top 14 grind

• The salary cap incentives (and the coming changes)

• How academy rankings drive funding + development

• Why tighthead depth is a real issue for France

• What Pierre Mignoni’s break tells us about coaching pressure

• The key games to watch this weekend in the table

Chapters:
00:00 Intro + Top 14 weekend preview01:24 The “19 protected players” rule (Six Nations bye week)02:29 Why France produces so many young talents04:56 How Top 14 squads are built (pro/Espoir/convention)12:48 Salary cap credits + academy ranking explained18:14 France vs South Africa depth + development pathways20:06 France lock combos (Flament/Meafou vs Ollivon/Guillard)24:08 French scrum criticism + tighthead depth debate29:20 Pierre Mignoni steps back + coaching pressure40:56 Table overview + key matchups to watch44:46 Bayonne coaching change + staff cohesion reality49:16 USN sponsor shout + subscribe reminder

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From Paarl to Loftus to the Springboks — Canan Moodie shares the real story behind the rise.

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Recorded at Loftus Versfeld, this conversation goes beyond highlights. Canan opens up about pressure, identity, preparation, and the people who kept him grounded while life accelerated fast.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How 2019 lit the World Cup dream… and 2023 made it real

• What facing the Haka at Twickenham felt like

• The Springbok call-up that changed everything

• Growing up around drugs and gangsterism — and choosing a different path

• The role his brother and coaches played in his discipline

• His approach to criticism (and why he avoids it entirely)

• The mindset shift after being left behind before the World Cup

Chapters:
00:00 Facing the Haka + Twickenham nerves01:16 Welcome at Loftus + what this episode is about03:19 2019 to 2023: “that’s what dreams are made of”05:03 The Springbok call-up moment07:10 Test debut + Fran Steyn’s words09:33 Growing up in Amstelhof, Paarl11:55 Drugs, gangsterism, and choosing a different path14:17 The brother who kept him grounded16:51 The teacher who helped change his life22:54 What it means to play for the Bulls24:51 COVID year, earning the chance, taking it28:02 Centre vs All Blacks: prep, detail, confidence32:26 The foundation: giving kids a platform36:01 Learning habits from Sia, Jesse and the leaders40:17 His pre-match routine (massage, haircut, chicken alfredo)43:42 The setback before the World Cup + the comeback47:45 Pressure management: ignore noise, stay prepared49:15 Bulls stories and culture passed down

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Springbok Women legend Babalwa Latsha sits down with Coach G after the Rugby World Cup to share the mindset behind the Springbok Women’s breakthrough.

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Inside the episode:

• Mental fortitude: how to block out noise and perform under pressure
• Identity & self-worth: separating who you are from what you do
• Becoming a student of the game (simple habits that compound)
• Front row culture: scrum pride, set-piece dominance, doing it the right way
• Handling social media bullying + staying true to your values

00:00 Intro01:10 World Cup + what’s next09:01 Student of the game13:22 Handling pressure + noise15:51 Self-worth & identity24:22 Breakthrough moment32:01 Innovation + trust38:20 Scrum identity + set-piece47:02 Coming home1:00:58 Social media bullying & resilience1:09:49 Outro

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France vs Ireland: a big win — but what are people actually saying in France?

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Coach G sits down with Damien Dussault to translate the French rugby conversation into English: the Jalibert–Dupont–Ramos combo, France’s offload/unstructured identity, standout performers (Guillard, Nouchi, Serin), and the real pressure behind the scenes: Top 14 load + player recovery during the doublon. Plus… the ultimate debate: French meat vs South African meat.

Former Springbok tighthead and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner BJ Botha joins Coach G for a raw, honest conversation about scrummaging, resilience, and what separates great front rowers from the rest.

BJ breaks down how pressure training builds confidence, why “dark arts” exist in modern scrums, and the real reason the Springbok scrum stays dominant (hint: combinations and culture). We also go beyond rugby — injury setbacks, moving abroad (Ulster/Munster), fatherhood, and the mindset needed to keep showing up.

The Top 14 table doesn’t tell the full story — especially when le doublon hits and clubs lose key internationals during the Six Nations window.

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Coach G breaks down the current “giants” of French rugby and what’s really driving performance: squad depth, academy pathways, mindset, and how clubs approach home vs away rugby. Toulouse remain the benchmark, Pau and Stade Français are rising fast, and Bordeaux face the brutal challenge of balancing Top 14 pressure with European ambitions.

Fabien Galthié shocks French rugby by leaving out Gaël Fickou, Grégory Alldritt, and Damien Penaud before the Six Nations. Coach G is joined by agent Damien Dussault to unpack the decision through the lens of selection strategy, squad culture, and long-term World Cup planning—then flips it into the most important piece: how elite players respond when they don’t get picked.

Expect a real conversation on standards, leadership, pressure, and turning non-selection into fuel.

Modern attack is faster, looser, and more chaotic than ever — and defenses are paying the price. Omar explains how teams can stop the offload chain, kill speed of ball, and why “trench warfare” has returned in elite rugby.

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Premiership-winning Harlequins prop Simon Kerrod joins Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) for an honest conversation about the real pathway to becoming an elite prop: injuries, setbacks, late breakthroughs, ego management, and staying mentally strong when pressure never disappears.

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They unpack what modern props must master (scrum, collisions, systems), why young front rowers spiral after one bad scrum, and how to reset fast and perform again. Simon also shares lessons from working with Adam Jones, playing alongside Joe Marler, and how he’s thinking about life after rugby.

Why do elite coaches get fired — even when they’re highly respected and successful?

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In this episode, Coach G breaks down the deeper reasons behind coaching dismissals, using the Scott Robertson case as a starting point — not for drama, but for understanding.

This is a conversation about:

• Culture vs results

• Alignment between staff, players, and leadership

• Unrealistic standards and KPIs

• What happens when a coach loses the locker room

• Why some dynasties last — and others collapse

This episode isn’t about one coach.
It’s about high-performance environments, leadership under pressure, and the mistakes that quietly destroy teams from the inside.

Whether you’re a coach, player, leader, or operator in any high-performance field, the lessons here apply far beyond rugby.

00:00 Introduction to Scott Robinson's Firing

01:44 Understanding Performance Standards

03:56 Defining Success for the All Blacks

05:51 The Concept of Losing the Locker Room

09:40 Cultural Dynamics in Rugby Teams

11:39 Addressing Deeper Issues in New Zealand Rugby

14:15 The Pressure of Coaching at the Highest Level

17:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G speaks with Sean Erasmus, 1st Team Rugby Coach at Paarl Boys High, about the deeper foundations behind elite schoolboy rugby in South Africa.

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Built on the motto Faith. Family. Team., this conversation explores culture, pressure, belief, leadership, and what it truly takes to develop young men — not just rugby players — in today’s pro-level school rugby environment.

A powerful episode for players, parents, coaches, and anyone passionate about performance, values, and long-term development through sport.

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Why does France dominate European rugby?

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In this short-form episode, Coach G breaks down the brutal reality of the Top 14, the value French clubs place on the Champions Cup, and why squad depth and academy systems give France a massive edge over the rest of Europe.

From Bordeaux’s explosive performance to the sacrifices clubs are willing to make domestically, this episode explains what it really takes to win in Europe — from the inside.

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Elite coaching is not glamorous — it’s pressure, standards, trust, and the ability to lead humans, not just rugby players.

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Coach G sits down with Neal Hatley (England, Australia, Japan) for a deep conversation on what it takes to survive and thrive as a professional coach. Neal breaks down how top coaches build trust, manage information overload, keep standards high, and why alignment inside a staff can make or break a team — with powerful insights from working alongside Eddie Jones across multiple international environments.

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Owen Franks reflects on missing selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the emotional impact it had after a long All Blacks career.

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In this short episode, Owen shares why the disappointment hit differently, how he coped by immediately moving on, and why — in hindsight — allowing himself to grieve may have been the healthier choice.

An honest conversation about identity, resilience, and the unseen side of elite rugby.

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This episode is my 2025 wrap-up. No guest — just 7 core lessons I’ve taken from the biggest conversations of the year, plus 5 personal learnings that shaped my growth.

7 Core Lessons

1. Resilience is built, not discovered

2. Identity comes before performance

3. Elite teams are built on trust + shared ownership

4. Process beats outcome

5. Growth requires humility

6. Transition matters as much as careers

7. Pressure is a privilege

Chapters

00:00 Building Resilience Through Adversity

08:06 The Importance of Identity in Performance

17:19 Trust and Shared Ownership in Elite Teams

25:57 The Role of Humility in Growth

26:23 The Importance of Humility in Growth

27:48 Navigating Career Transitions

30:40 Building Relationships and Skills as a Rugby Player

32:08 Embracing Pressure as a Privilege

35:56 Key Lessons from the Journey

46:58 Embracing Your True Self and Community

I also share why journaling + weekly reviews changed my consistency, why “start in January” is a trap, and how to build simple habits that create momentum going into 2026.

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Motivation doesn’t last.
Discipline does.

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) explains why relying on motivation is one of the biggest mistakes rugby players and coaches make — and how real discipline is built through identity, systems, and clarity.

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If you’re tired of starting strong and fading, this episode will help you reset your approach to performance, training, and life.

00:00 Welcome and Community Engagement

01:39 Discipline vs. Motivation: Understanding the Concepts

06:21 The Role of Discipline in Achieving Goals

16:04 Creating a Personal Operating System

25:24 Positive vs. Negative Distractions and Their Impact

29:16 Community Support and Closing Thoughts

32:14 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Coach G Show

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In this episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G is joined again by Zeenat Simjee (RD) — performance dietitian and former Springbok nutritionist — for a deep dive into human performance.

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They unpack the hidden habits that crush energy and focus: inconsistent eating, poor sleep routines, doom-scrolling, and using caffeine to mask fatigue. Zeenat shares practical systems for athletes and professionals: improving sleep quality, managing caffeine timing, building movement into the workday, and using behavior-change principles (habit stacking, tracking, rewards) to make performance sustainable.

00:00 — The Real Problem: No Credible Nutrition Guidance
01:06 — Intro: Nutrition Systems That Boost Performance Under Pressure
03:03 — Schools, Social Media Noise & Making Nutrition Accessible
05:19 — Coach Life Audit: Habits, Routines & The “Operating System”
07:17 — Poor Performance Habits: Irregular Eating, Screens & “Band-Aid” Fixes
09:42 — Recovery Pyramid: Stop Chasing Saunas Before Fixing Sleep & Food
14:08 — How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? Consistency vs Catch-Up
16:21 — Quality Over Quantity: Wearables, Intuition & the Placebo Trap
20:48 — Sleep Inertia, Bedtime Routine & Blue-Light Damage
31:34 — Caffeine for Performance: Doses, Timing, Tolerance & Hidden Sources
45:38 — Corporate = Sport: Burnout Is a Systems Problem (Food, Movement, Meetings)
01:03:11 — Behavior Change Blueprint: Values, Low-Hanging Fruit, Habit Stacking & Tracking

If you want more energy, better focus, and consistency under pressure — this one’s for you.

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Everyone talks about goals at the end of the year.

Very few people talk about identity.

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) explains why waiting for the New Year — or 2026 — is the reason most people stay stuck, frustrated, and inconsistent.

This conversation is about:

• Why New Year’s resolutions don’t last

• Why identity matters more than motivation

• How habits are really formed (and broken)

• What high performers do differently

• Why clarity, systems, and standards matter more than hype

  
  

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Whether you’re a rugby player, a coach, or someone chasing high performance in life, this episode will challenge the way you think about change.

If you want to stop restarting and start becoming, this one is for you.

🎙️ Press play and start the reset — now.

Basil Carzis rarely steps into the spotlight — but his work shaped some of the most dominant rugby teams in history.

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As the strength & conditioning architect behind the Bulls dynasty and the 2007 World Cup Springboks, Basil helped build a culture of belief, brutal standards, and relentless execution.

In this episode, Basil and Gurthro Steenkamp go deep into:

• What truly creates mental toughness

• Why standards must be lived, not spoken

• How elite teams build belief through action

• Leadership, trust, and accountability under pressure

• The real comeback story behind Gurthro’s career revival

  
  

00:00 – The Journey Behind the Trophy

01:07 – Meet Basil Carzis: Standards, Belief & a Plan

02:49 – Life in Argentina & What Amateur Rugby Reminds You

04:25 – 2007 Final: The Moment Belief Took Over

07:24 – The Bulls Dynasty: Vision + Alignment + Standards

09:26 – “World-Class + 15%”: How Standards Were Set

13:34 – Train the Game: Why Everything Was Built Around Match Reality

15:54 – Trust & Competition: Why Players Emptied the Tank

23:52 – The George Camp Story: Breaking Physical & Mental Limits

32:41 – The 140kg Comeback: No Judgment, Only Execution

44:02 – Gym Culture: Standards That Pulled Everyone Up

54:26 – Why 2008 Collapsed After Winning It All

58:31 – How 2009–2010 Reignited the Machine

01:02:44 – Johan van Graan: The “Do Anything” Coach Blueprint

This is not a hype conversation.

This is a truthful, raw look at what it really takes to win.

Coach G shares a powerful idea: take out the trash.

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Not just from your fridge—but from your mind and environment. This episode tackles the “trash” that destroys performance: doubt, negative self-talk, toxic people, poor habits, fatigue triggers, and living in the past. You’ll get a simple reset framework (reset & reframe, positive distraction, good habits, clear goals) to help you show up stronger, fitter, and more

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) sits down with Brian Liebenberg, former French international and creator of the Catch & Think cognitive training method, to explore the one skill modern rugby has forgotten — attention.

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Brian breaks down how attention, vision and cognitive load shape decision-making, why players struggle to process information under pressure, and how coaches can simplify learning and improve performance.

He also shares stories from the golden era of Stade Français, his transition after injury, rebuilding purpose, and taking cognitive methods into the corporate world.

A must-listen for players, coaches, parents, and leaders who want to think faster, play smarter, and perform at a higher level.

00:00 – Goldfish Attention Span & Brain Training
00:51 – Introducing Brian Liebenberg & Catch and Think
03:09 – Did South Africa “Steal” the 2023 World Cup?
05:31 – Why Everyone Loves to Hate the Springboks
07:54 – Inside the Golden Era at Stade Français
12:22 – Culture, Characters & Max Guazzini’s Influence
19:20 – Career-Ending Injury & The Reality of Pro Rugby
23:53 – The Difficult Transition After Rugby
28:38 – The Birth of Catch and Think
35:33 – How Catch and Think Trains the Brain
56:38 – Cognitive Training in the Corporate World
01:03:52 – Productivity vs Busyness: Lessons From Rugby
01:06:15 – Leadership, Communication & High-Performance Teams
01:10:56 – Turning an Idea Into a Business After Rugby

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In this short, punchy episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) unpacks The Athlete Operating System – a simple framework to bring order to your life so you can perform better on the field.

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He covers:

• Morning activation: hydration, breathing, journaling and clear daily priorities

• Train with purpose: choosing focus points for every session so you’re not a “headless chicken”

• Review system: two wins, one work-on, and learning faster from every training

• Distraction system: managing social media, cognitive load and screen time

• Evening shutdown: reviewing your day, setting tomorrow’s targets and protecting your sleep

If your life is chaotic, your rugby will be chaotic too. This episode helps you reset your daily habits so you can become a more consistent, confident and dangerous player.

Share this with a teammate or coach who needs to hear it, and if you enjoy the show, please follow and leave a review – it really supports the podcast.

Chapters

00:00 – Why You Need an Athlete Operating System01:09 – Morning Activation: Hydrate & Prime Your Mind03:32 – Morning Mantras: Win the First 10 Minutes04:45 – Train With Purpose, Not Chaos06:30 – The Review System: Two Wins, One Work-On08:17 – The Distraction System: Beating Mental Clutter13:03 – Evening Shutdown: Review Your Day & Sleep Better15:30 – Recap: The Five Parts of the Athlete OS18:40 – Applying the Athlete OS to Coaches25:08 – Community Updates, Scrum Courses & Final Message

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World-class defence strategist Omar Mouneimne returns to The Coach G Show for a masterclass on modern rugby defence, aggression, mindset, and systems.

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In this episode, Omar breaks down how the game has evolved, why defensive systems are failing or succeeding, and what players and coaches must understand to perform at the highest level.

This conversation is packed with practical insights, elite frameworks, and real stories from years inside top performance environments.

👉 In this episode, we cover:

• Why modern attack creates chaos — and how defence must evolve

• The fundamentals every defence coach must master

• Blitz vs Super Blitz vs Drift — when each system works

• How to stop offloads, momentum and “basketball rugby”

• Developing aggression and collision dominance

• Helping players who’ve lost confidence or their defensive “mojo”

• Situational awareness and reading pictures under pressure

• Physicality, mindset, periodisation, and match demands

• How elite coaches manage mental load and maintain balance

• What truly separates top defenders from average ones

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:50 The Evolution of Defense in Rugby

06:31 Defending Against Modern Attacks

10:05 The Impact of Tackling Techniques

12:29 Situational Awareness in Defense

17:46 Defensive Systems Explained

20:59 Fundamentals of Coaching Defense

25:49 Traits of a Successful Defensive Player

30:54 Coaching Mental Load and Balance

39:43 Building Aggression in Players

46:20 Overcoming Loss of Mojo

51:07 The Importance of Family and Balance

54:59 Misconceptions in Defensive Strategies

01:01:44 Conclusion and Future Insights

Whether you’re a player, coach, or someone who loves understanding the deeper layers of rugby, this episode is essential listening.

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This Ireland v Springboks clash in Dublin was more than just a Test match – it was an emotional rematch after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The singing, the criticism, the pain… and a Bok team that arrived with one mission: dominate and destroy.

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In this short-form episode of The Coach G Show, I break down:

• How the Springbok defence, collisions and line speed set the tone

• The evolution of the Bok attack – from mauls and scrums to skillful, multi-layered attack

• Why the scrum became a true weapon and what that means for young props

• Tactical awareness, red brain vs blue brain, and how emotion and red cards shaped the game

• Tackle technique, extras after training and reviewing a tough performance when you’ve been dominated

  
  

Chapters00:00 Emotional Rematch: Springboks vs Ireland03:07 Defensive Strategies: Trusting the System05:04 Evolution of Springbok Attack07:27 Tactical Awareness: Control Your Emotions11:46 Tackle Technique: Skills for Success16:03 Dominance in the Scrum: A Weapon of Mass Destruction21:01 Props: Adding Value Beyond Scrummaging23:12 Physicality and Discipline: Keys to Winning26:33 Continuous Improvement: Learning from Defeat29:03 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Coach G Show

This episode is for young rugby players and aspiring coaches who want to learn from big games, not just react to the scoreline.

If you want to go deeper into analysis, scrums, mindset and resilience, join my private community Coach G Level Up on Skool – a space for players and coaches who are serious about levelling up their game.

Please follow the show, leave a rating, and share this with a teammate or coach who needs these lessons from Ireland v Springboks.

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In the first episode of The Coach G Show, I open the curtain on my evolution — from player, to mentor, to coach, and now to building something bigger than ever.

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This episode explores identity, setbacks, growth, and the truth behind how “Coach G” was created.

If you’re here to level up in rugby, coaching, leadership or life, this is where the new chapter begins.

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In this short-form episode, Springbok performance dietician Zeenat Simjee breaks down the truth about performance nutrition for rugby players. She explains why carbs are king, how to fuel during the week, the mistakes players make on intense training days, and why gut tolerance, timing, and recovery matter more than any pre-match meal.

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This is essential listening for young players and coaches who want to prepare like professionals.

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Paul Willemse joins me for a deeply personal conversation about identity, sacrifice, belonging and the moment he had to walk away from the game he loved.

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He opens up about:

• Choosing France over the Springboks — and the emotional cost

• Living between two nations and two identities

• Public criticism and pressure from both sides

• The mental battle behind repeated concussions

• Being forced into retirement before he was ready

• Losing confidence, rebuilding purpose and finding life after rugby

• What players really struggle with behind the scenes

• Fatherhood, family and redefining himself outside the sport

Chapter: 00:00 Tunnel Dreams & Early Emotions01:40 Split Between Two Nations04:10 France vs Springboks: Inside the Stadium07:25 Singing Both Anthems: Identity & Pride09:54 The Emotional Return to Stade de France13:02 Growing Up Massive: The Weight Story17:34 South African Size: Culture, Genetics & Mindset22:29 Leaving the Bulls & Choosing France31:09 France as a New Home & Early Struggles39:17 First Test for France & Closing the Bok Dream54:27 Concussions, Retirement & Losing Identity1:10:56 Life After Rugby: Purpose, Mental Health & New Projects

If you’re a player, coach, or someone navigating transition, this episode will speak to you.

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) breaks down five powerful lessons the Springboks taught us in their performance against France — lessons that every player and coach can apply immediately.

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Drawing from firsthand conversations with players, coaches, and former teammates at Stade de France, we dive into the mindset, decision-making, and on-field behaviours that separated the Boks on the day.

• Why emotion alone won’t win you Test matches

• The Red Card Mindset and how elite teams stay calm with 14 men

• What real team sacrifice looks like (inside Siya Kolisi’s 100th test)

• How the Boks played to their strengths when it mattered most

• The Next Job Mindset that keeps players in the fight after mistakes

This episode was recorded live during a session inside my Coach G Level Up community — where players and coaches join weekly to learn, grow, and sharpen their rugby IQ.

If you’d like to be part of those weekly breakdowns, you can find the link in the description or DM me the word “community” on Instagram.

00:00 Introduction and Community Engagement

01:31 Key Lessons from the Springbok Game

03:44 The Role of Emotion in Performance

06:06 Understanding the Red Card Mindset

08:53 Team Sacrifice and Individual Roles

11:45 Playing to Your Strengths

15:32 Staying in the Fight

18:47 Q&A and Community Interaction

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In this Lessons from the Game episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) talks with Steph du Toit (La Rochelle S&C coach) about how to build player trust, manage different personalities, and develop true high-performance habits.

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Steph opens up about lessons learned from Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, the secrets behind elite conditioning, and how caring, honesty, and participation earn player respect.

Perfect for rugby coaches, players, and performance-driven professionals.

00:00 – The Blueprint for Success
01:09 – Welcome & Episode Setup
05:53 – Stormers’ Winning Recipe
09:00 – What Hasn’t Changed Since 2007
11:15 – Season Planning (Pre/In/Off)
14:06 – Measuring Progress That Matters
16:01 – What “Coachable” Really Means
20:36 – Advice to Coaches: Prep & Ethics
32:18 – Training Without a Gym
36:02 – Scrum-Strong: Key Lifts & Mobility
42:30 – How Much Scrum Time Is Enough?
57:04 – Setbacks & Mindset Reset

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Short-form preview of France vs South Africa with Coach G and French agent Damien Dussault.

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We explore whether this is truly a “revenge” match, how France metabolised the RWC 2023 exit, and why controlled emotion + clear systems will decide it.

Key focus areas: aerial contest, ruck speed, discipline, and set piece—plus players to watch (Ramos, Ntamack, Fickou, Bok back three, Marx & co.).

If you enjoy this pod, follow, rate, and share with a teammate.

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Veteran sports writer Simnikiwe Xabanisa joins Gurthro Steenkamp to reflect on 25 years of South African rugby, the lessons he’s learned from covering the Springboks, and why he believes that “life is a team game.”

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This episode dives deep into the evolution of the Boks, the media’s changing role, and the mindset that defines great teams and great people. It’s a conversation about truth, resilience and connection — on and off the field.

Chapters

Totally—here’s a tighter set (12 chapters) you can paste straight into YouTube/Spotify:

00:00 – Cold open: “Life is a team game”

01:36 – Intro & why Sim’s here

07:17 – SA Rugby’s evolution: 2000s to Rassie

22:16 – How player access & media changed

27:57 – What a rugby journalist really does (context > clicks)

35:26 – Coaching, performance & integrity (scrum “cheat codes”)

44:40 – Why the Boks keep winning: continuity, depth, transformation

56:09 – The rise of Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

58:14 – France vs Springboks: rivalry, emotion, stakes

01:06:51 – Habits behind a 25-year journalism career

01:14:22 – Setback to comeback: Sim’s toughest years

01:28:06 – Closing thoughts & what’s next

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In this episode, Andrew Trimble shares what it took for Ireland to finally beat the All Blacks in Chicago 2016.

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From the belief built under Joe Schmidt to the leadership of Sexton & Rory Best, Trimble opens up about the preparation, pressure, and defining moments that changed Irish rugby forever.

A must-listen for rugby fans and players ahead of another epic Ireland-All Blacks clash.

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All Blacks legend Conrad Smith breaks down the habits behind sustained success: shared leadership, role clarity, reading the game, and handling World Cup pressure. He also opens up about life after rugby and his work supporting player welfare and purpose. Essential listening for players, coaches, and anyone who leads teams.

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South African rugby trailblazer Babalwa Latsha reveals how she approaches the scrum as a mind game, not just a battle of strength.

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She dives into:
• The mindset and technique behind women’s rugby• How role models like Beast Mtawarira and Serena Williams shaped her• The mental toughness it takes to recover from injury and stay grounded in purpose.

Hosted by Coach Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna on Lessons From The Game.

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Charlie Hodgson, one of England’s most respected fly-halves, joins Lessons from the Game to share the mindset that shaped his rugby journey — from moments of pressure and injury to personal growth and success beyond the field.

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In this honest and insightful conversation with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna, Charlie opens up about:

• The power of reflection and reframing setbacks into growth

• Managing performance anxiety and pressure in elite rugby

• The “Effort Error vs Skill Error” philosophy that built accountability and trust at Saracens

• Finding identity and purpose after professional rugby

• How mindset and self-awareness can redefine success in sport and life

A masterclass in resilience, perspective, and personal evolution from one of rugby’s most thoughtful playmakers.

🎙️ Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp & Ben Pegna — Lessons from the Game