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
Resilience is built, not discovered
Identity comes before performance
Elite teams are built on trust + shared ownership
Process beats outcome
Growth requires humility
Transition matters as much as careers
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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