
Advertise on podcast: The Coach G Show
Rating
5from
This podcast has
123 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Gurthro SteenkampExplicit
No
Date created
2025/02/16
Latest episode
2026/05/30
Average duration
62 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
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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Check latest episodes from The Coach G Show podcast
Bought a French Rugby Club for €1 — Then Walked Away | Flip van der Merwe
2026/05/30
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 himGetting called up to the Springboks from a camping holiday in Namibia, 18 hours from Cape TownThe lineout philosophy Victor Matfield installed that still holds up todayBuying Biarritz Olympic for €1 — and why he walked away 7 months laterThe loneliness and identity crisis that hit after rugby endedStudying for a master's in big data and an MBA at Cambridge while playing professionallyWhy 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.
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Bob Skinstad | First Pro, The Dark Side of Winning & Life After Rugby
2026/05/23
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 toolsThe "big hollow": depression, self-doubt, and what Bob wishes someone had told him earlierHow he started building business skills during his playing career while most players stopped being curiousThe brutal reality of owning a French rugby club as a South African outsiderWhy being paid to play rugby can quietly destroy your hunger and work ethicAI in rugby — what it can and can't replace, and why the human element still leadsProtecting your energy as an empath, and what years of giving to others costs youBob 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.
Drew Mitchell | The Void Elite Rugby Leaves and How You Fill It
2026/05/16
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 contractWhy he retired on Twitter — mid-season, unannounced — and never looked backThe social anxiety, identity loss, and breakdown moment that hit after the jersey came offLearning to fly helicopters to replace the adrenaline rugby gave himHow George Gregan's "Apples" callout turned him into a harder playerHis zero-routine game day that always ended the same way — vomiting before kickoffWhat really held the Toulon Galacticos together when egos could have torn it apartWhy therapy was the most important thing he did before the problems started00:00 – 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: From SA Outcast to France International
2026/05/09
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 startedHow obsession — even when it went too far — drove him onto the French teamThe night Serge Blanco knocked on his door and changed everythingHow Joe Rokocoko kept him focused play by play through the most important game of his lifeThe criticism he faced for wearing the French jersey as a South AfricanWhy the rugby network is one of the most underused assets former players haveThe financial advice every professional player needs to hear before it's too late0:00 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.
Steven Kitshoff | Career Over, Bomb Squad Origin & Springbok Scrum Secrets
2026/05/01
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 clearThe Bomb Squad origin story: how a boardroom conversation with Rassie became a beer, a clothing line, and a national licensing brandThe 3 pillars of scrum dominance every prop needs to develop — conditioning, power transfer, and unit understandingWhat makes the Springbok scrum the most destructive in world rugby right nowRassie's philosophy: "right players, not best players" — and why it changed everythingHow Steve overcame imposter syndrome in the business worldPractical 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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Top 14 Preview: Staff Budgets, Player Pathways & Playoff Race — Damien Dussault
2026/04/24
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.
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The War on the Scrum | Cheat Codes, Parents & the Scrum Dominator Mindset
2026/04/18
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 inclusivityThe clear difference between dark arts and cheat codes — and why it's a values issueThe four phases of the scrum and what each one demands from playersPractical steps parents can take to help their child become a better scrummagerWhat the Scrum Dominator Mindset really means — and how it applies beyond rugbyWhy referees struggle to police scrums and what needs to changeThe FAST method for accelerating learning in sport and life00:00 – 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.
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The Biggest Game in France : Bordeaux vs Toulouse
2026/04/11
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 watchThe coaching succession race: Hugo Mola or Yannick Bru for France after Galtier?Cameron Woki's comeback — how leaving Bordeaux made him a complete playerTeddy Thomas at 32: why the most criticised player in France is now one of the bestThe burnout crisis hitting Top 14 coaches — and why French rugby is brutal on managersWhy giving players freedom and joy is the secret weapon of both clubsThe importance of blank space, morning routines, and mental resets for coachesTwo 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
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Nadine Roos | Springbok Women, World Cup & Women’s Rugby
2026/04/03
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.
Gordon Pretorius on Rugby IQ and Smarter Coaching
2026/03/25
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 performanceHow coaches overload players without realizing itWhy chaos and unpredictability matter in rugby trainingHow to improve meetings, learning, and retentionWhat working memory means in a rugby contextHow players can better remember roles, calls, and key actionsSmart ways coaches can use AI to improve planning and feedbackThis 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.
Schalk Brits: Purpose, Family and Life After Rugby
2026/03/20
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.
Le Crunch Explained | France vs England with Damien Dussault
2026/03/14
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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Follow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
The Move That Changed Everything | CJ Stander on Munster, Ireland and Rugby
2026/03/10
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.
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Follow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
Omar Mouneimne: The Fundamentals of Great Rugby Defense
2026/03/07
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.
Eddie Jones on Player Power: The Coaching Truths Nobody Says Out Loud
2026/03/03
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.
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