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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. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708 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. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community -https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708

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. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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? 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Why does France dominate European rugby? 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Elite coaching is not glamorous — it’s pressure, standards, trust, and the ability to lead humans, not just rugby players. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Owen Franks reflects on missing selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the emotional impact it had after a long All Blacks career. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and send me your feedback.

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. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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 Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

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. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshow Follow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

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 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 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.