The Coach G Show

Gurthro Steenkamp

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 success—both on and off the field.

Perfect for rugby enthusiasts, coaches, and anyone seeking inspiration to elevate their game and life.

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20 episodes
Updated May 30

Episodes20

Newest first

May 30 · 1 hr 29 min
Bought a French Rugby Club for €1 — Then Walked Away | Flip van der Merwe
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. 🎧 Follow The Coach G Show on Spotify and leave a review if this landed. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
May 23 · 58 min
Bob Skinstad | First Pro, The Dark Side of Winning & Life After Rugby
Bob Skinstad. 42 Springbok caps. The first professional rugby player signed in South Africa. Venture capitalist. Club owner. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. 🎧 Listen, follow, and share with someone who needs to hear this.
May 16 · 1 hr 35 min
Drew Mitchell | The Void Elite Rugby Leaves and How You Fill It
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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.
May 9 · 1 hr 12 min
Scott Spedding: From SA Outcast to France International
Scott Spedding walked away from South Africa at 22 with almost nothing — because his own attitude had closed nearly every door behind him. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp 🎧 Listen, follow, and share with someone who needs to hear this.
May 1 · 1 hr 9 min
Steven Kitshoff | Career Over, Bomb Squad Origin & Springbok Scrum Secrets
Steve Kitshoff. Springbok legend. Bomb Squad co-founder. A man who was 2mm from never walking again. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
April 24 · 52 min
Top 14 Preview: Staff Budgets, Player Pathways & Playoff Race — Damien Dussault
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
April 18 · 35 min
The War on the Scrum | Cheat Codes, Parents & the Scrum Dominator Mindset
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Scrum Dominator Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. 🎙️ Follow The Coach G Show on Spotify and leave a review if this added value. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
April 11 · 47 min
The Biggest Game in France : Bordeaux vs Toulouse
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
April 3 · 1 hr 8 min
Nadine Roos | Springbok Women, World Cup & Women’s Rugby
Springbok Women star Nadine Roos joins Coach G for a powerful conversation on the real state of women’s rugby in South Africa. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp Listen now, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who cares about rugby, growth, and opportunity.
March 25 · 1 hr 24 min
Gordon Pretorius on Rugby IQ and Smarter Coaching
Why do players train well during the week, then fail to transfer it on Saturday? 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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.
March 20 · 1 hr 14 min
Schalk Brits: Purpose, Family and Life After Rugby
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.
March 14 · 28 min
Le Crunch Explained | France vs England with Damien Dussault
Why does France vs England feel bigger than rugby? 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
March 10 · 1 hr 14 min
The Move That Changed Everything | CJ Stander on Munster, Ireland and Rugby
CJ Stander went from farm life in South Africa to the Bulls, Munster, Ireland and one of the toughest retirement decisions in rugby. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
March 7 · 12 min
Omar Mouneimne: The Fundamentals of Great Rugby Defense
What actually makes a great defensive team in rugby? https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp Listen, follow, and share this episode with a coach or player who wants to understand rugby defense at a deeper level.
March 3 · 59 min
Eddie Jones on Player Power: The Coaching Truths Nobody Says Out Loud
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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.
February 28 · 50 min
French Rugby Secrets : Top 14 Salary Cap, Academies & Coaching Pressure
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp If this helped, follow the show and share it with a rugby mate.
February 25 · 53 min
Canan Moodie: From Paarl to Springbok World Cup Winner
From Paarl to Loftus to the Springboks — Canan Moodie shares the real story behind the rise. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp Follow The Coach G Show on Spotify, share this with a teammate, and keep building your edge.
February 18 · 1 hr 10 min
Springbok Women’s World Cup Breakthrough (with Babalwa Latsha)
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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community-https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
February 11 · 30 min
France vs Ireland Debrief: Inside the French Media Reaction
France vs Ireland: a big win — but what are people actually saying in France? https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about 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.
February 6 · 1 hr 20 min
BJ Botha on Scrum Dominance, 2007 World Cup Injury & the Mindset to Bounce Back
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.