The Coach G Show

Flip van der Merwe — 30-cap Springbok, back-to-back Super Rugby champion with the Bulls, Cambridge MBA holder, data strategist, and the man who bought Biarritz Olympic for one euro — sits down with Coach G for one of the most honest conversations yet on the show.

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This isn't a greatest-hits career recap. It's a real discussion about identity, failure, late blooming, mental health, and what happens when the game ends.

What you'll hear:

• How Flip played just 7 games in 4 years at the Cheetahs — and why it made him
• Getting called up to the Springboks from a camping holiday in Namibia, 18 hours from Cape Town
• The lineout philosophy Victor Matfield installed that still holds up today
• Buying Biarritz Olympic for €1 — and why he walked away 7 months later
• The loneliness and identity crisis that hit after rugby ended
• Studying for a master's in big data and an MBA at Cambridge while playing professionally
• Why AI is transforming rugby coaching — and what teams are getting wrong about it

00:00 The Journey Begins: Rugby and Life Balance

09:51 Overcoming Challenges: The Path to Professional Rugby

20:00 Debut and Family Legacy: The Springbok Experience

29:50 The Art of Lineouts: Learning from Legends

30:21 Cultural Differences in Lineout Strategies

34:10 Balancing Rugby and Education

35:33 The Journey of Continuous Learning

42:20 Transitioning from Rugby to Data Strategy

46:01 Leveraging AI in Rugby Coaching

52:07 Enhancing Player Development with AI

56:20 Ensuring Data Security in Rugby

58:28 Reflecting on Fond Memories with the Bulls

01:02:12 The Journey of Buying Beer Rits

01:05:46 Cultural Shock in French Rugby

01:10:51 Personal Transformation and Health Challenges

01:16:40 Navigating Mental Health Post-Rugby

01:23:20 Insights from Coaching with Rassie Erasmus

Honest. Sharp. Elite.

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Bob Skinstad. 42 Springbok caps. The first professional rugby player signed in South Africa. Venture capitalist. Club owner.

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And one of the most honest people Coach G has ever shared a dressing room with.

This is not a highlights reel. This is a real conversation about what happens when the final whistle blows — and no one's prepared you for what comes next.

In this episode:

• The mental crash that follows winning — and why players spiral without the right tools
• The "big hollow": depression, self-doubt, and what Bob wishes someone had told him earlier
• How he started building business skills during his playing career while most players stopped being curious
• The brutal reality of owning a French rugby club as a South African outsider
• Why being paid to play rugby can quietly destroy your hunger and work ethic
• AI in rugby — what it can and can't replace, and why the human element still leads
• Protecting your energy as an empath, and what years of giving to others costs you

Bob doesn't pretend to have it all figured out. That's exactly what makes this episode so valuable.

00:00 Intro & Bob's Current World

03:24 Managing Multiple Projects & Staying Focused

05:22 The Challenge of French Rugby Culture

16:56 USN Sponsor Message

17:30 Bob's Journey From Player to Businessman

21:00 The First Professional Rugby Player in South Africa

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

32:35 Coping Mechanisms Alcohol and the Evolution of Self-Awareness

34:30 Challenges Facing Modern Players

41:44 AI in Rugby and High Performance Sport

47:24 How Coaches Can Use AI to Save Time

49:40 Would Bob Come Back as a Prop

Whether you're a player navigating the transition, a coach building something on the side, or a leader in any high-pressure environment — there is something in here for you.

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Drew Mitchell played 71 tests for Australia, scored 14 World Cup tries across three tournaments, and won back-to-back European Champions Cups with Toulon.

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He did it all clinically blind in his right eye — a fact he hid from clubs, coaches, and medical teams for his entire career.

In this episode of The Coach G Show, Drew sits down with Coach G for a wide-open conversation about the parts of an elite rugby career nobody talks about.

What you'll hear:

• The blind right eye he concealed from French club medicals to protect his contract
• Why he retired on Twitter — mid-season, unannounced — and never looked back
• The social anxiety, identity loss, and breakdown moment that hit after the jersey came off
• Learning to fly helicopters to replace the adrenaline rugby gave him
• How George Gregan's "Apples" callout turned him into a harder player
• His zero-routine game day that always ended the same way — vomiting before kickoff
• What really held the Toulon Galacticos together when egos could have torn it apart
• Why therapy was the most important thing he did before the problems started

00:00 – Cold Open: "I'm done with rugby"

01:00 – Introduction: Drew Mitchell's career

01:37 – Life after Toulon / living in Bondi

03:15 – Relationship with training post-rugby

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

07:30 – Playing international rugby blind in one eye

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

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

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

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

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

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

31:12 – The Twitter retirement nobody saw coming

36:13 – Flying helicopters to fill the void

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

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

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

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

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

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

1:07:59 – Inside the Toulon Galacticos era

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

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

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

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

This one covers the full picture — career, character, culture, and the messy reality of life on the other side of elite sport.

Listen, follow, and share with anyone who loves rugby, high performance, or honest conversations.

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

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What followed was one of rugby's most unexpected journeys: from scrapping in French junior rugby to earning 23 caps for the French national team.

In this episode, Scott and Coach G go deep on the decisions, obsessions, sacrifices, and setbacks that defined a remarkable career — and what the transition out of rugby really looks like when no one has the answer.

What you'll take from this episode:

• Why bad attitude at 19 nearly ended his career before it started
• How obsession — even when it went too far — drove him onto the French team
• The night Serge Blanco knocked on his door and changed everything
• How Joe Rokocoko kept him focused play by play through the most important game of his life
• The criticism he faced for wearing the French jersey as a South African
• Why the rugby network is one of the most underused assets former players have
• The financial advice every professional player needs to hear before it's too late

0:00 Intro

1:47 Meet Scott Spedding

2:10 Life in Southwest France

4:31 Why He Left South Africa at 22

7:18 The Mentors Who Changed Everything

9:59 What It Really Takes to Listen

13:16 Arrogance, Mistakes & Hard Lessons

14:57 The Toughest Years in French Rugby

16:54 When Playing for France Became the Obsession

20:26 What the Obsession Actually Looked Like

25:30 On Balance vs Going All In

26:40 Serge Blanco at the Door & the Plane Ticket Moment

31:15 Facing Criticism as a Foreigner in the French Team

37:46 Greatest Players He Shared a Changing Room With

42:44 What Transformed French Rugby

50:37 2023 World Cup Quarterfinal France vs South Africa

51:48 Life After Rugby Property Meat Business & Safari Lodge

59:05 The Real Value of a Rugby Network

1:03:48 What He Would Do Differently

1:09:45 Final Advice for Players & The Money Conversation

A raw, honest, and genuinely inspiring conversation for players, coaches, and anyone chasing something that feels just out of reach.

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

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In this episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G sits down with one of the greatest loosehead props to ever play the game for a conversation that covers the full spectrum — from school rugby fundamentals to building a licensing empire, and from scrum mechanics to the mental shift required when everything you've built your identity around is suddenly gone.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The career-ending neck injury Steve never saw coming — and the moment everything became clear
• The Bomb Squad origin story: how a boardroom conversation with Rassie became a beer, a clothing line, and a national licensing brand
• The 3 pillars of scrum dominance every prop needs to develop — conditioning, power transfer, and unit understanding
• What makes the Springbok scrum the most destructive in world rugby right now
• Rassie's philosophy: "right players, not best players" — and why it changed everything
• How Steve overcame imposter syndrome in the business world
• Practical advice for young props, parents of junior players, and anyone navigating a major life transition

00:00 Cold Open & The Spicy Plum Nickname

01:32 Introducing Steve Kitshoff

05:35 School Rugby & The Foundation Years at Paul Roos

08:28 Mentors & Players Who Shaped His Career

14:17 The State of Scrummaging Today

19:22 3 Keys to Scrum Dominance for Props

24:00 What Parents of Young Players Need to Know

27:48 Quickfire Scrum Questions

29:06 Why the Springbok Scrum Is So Destructive

34:52 The Bomb Squad Origin Story

40:33 Business Lessons from Rugby Leadership

45:49 The Career-Ending Neck Injury

49:57 Life After Rugby & What Comes Next

53:11 Advice for Players Still Playing

This is a conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.

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

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

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Coach G sits down with French rugby agent Damien Dussaut to pull back the curtain on what's really happening inside the Top 14: the staff budgets clubs don't want you to see, the unconventional player journeys that challenge everything we think about recruitment, and why some clubs thrive on half the budget of their rivals.

What you'll learn:

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

00:00 - The Recruitment Lie Clubs Tell Themselves

00:59 - Welcome & Introduction

02:29 - Toulouse's Bounce Back & The Benjamin Bertrand Story

09:18 - Inside the Toulouse Machine: Depth, Culture & Youth

11:32 - Top 14 Standings & The Playoff Race

13:44 - Managing Two Competitions: Squad Rotation & Injuries

15:33 - Champions Cup Money & The Pau Model

18:08 - Stade Français: From Chaos to Contenders

23:54 - Why Foreign Coaches Struggle in France

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

30:30 - The Recruitment Trap Most Clubs Fall Into

34:41 - Levani Botia: A Living Legend Re-Signs at La Rochelle

44:54 - Players Are Ferraris — Staff Are the Mechanics

49:38 - The Mental Game: Rugby's Final Frontier

Whether you're a player trying to get noticed, a coach building a programme, or a fan who wants to understand what happens behind the scenes — this is essential listening.

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

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

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

In this solo episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp — former Springbok, World Cup winner, two-time European champion as a coach) goes deep on why the scrum matters, what's going wrong at every level, and what players, coaches, and parents need to do about it.

This is one of the most direct, honest conversations about the scrum you'll hear anywhere.

What you'll learn:

• Why removing the scrum would damage rugby's identity and inclusivity
• The clear difference between dark arts and cheat codes — and why it's a values issue
• The four phases of the scrum and what each one demands from players
• Practical steps parents can take to help their child become a better scrummager
• What the Scrum Dominator Mindset really means — and how it applies beyond rugby
• Why referees struggle to police scrums and what needs to change
• The FAST method for accelerating learning in sport and life

00:00 – The Forces Trying to Remove the Scrum

00:45 – What Is the Scrum Dominator Mindset?

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

06:23 – USN Sponsor Message

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

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

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

15:55 – The Four Phases of the Scrum

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

21:00 – Who Is Responsible for the Scrum?

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

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

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

34:26 – What's Coming to the Community

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

38:30 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

Coach G also shares his personal story — from a self-described chubby, friendless kid who found identity and belonging through the scrum, to one of the most respected forwards coaches in European rugby.

If you coach props, play in the front row, or want to help a young player improve — this episode is essential listening.

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Bordeaux host Toulouse in what could be the most loaded quarter-final in French rugby history. Coach G and agent Damien Dusseau go deep on the game, the politics, and the human stories behind the players.

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What you'll get from this episode:

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

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

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

Chapters:

00:00 The clash of titans begins

01:11 Intro: Bordeaux vs Toulouse + coach burnout

03:40 Why this game is so big in France

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

09:37 Key matchups and players to watch

16:06 Freedom, expression, and team environment

18:00 Sponsor message: USN

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

27:49 The knockout path after this quarter-final

29:20 Coach burnout in Top 14 rugby

38:49 How coaches can protect their energy and mind

45:45 Damien Dussault + Scrum Dominator Mindset

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

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This episode goes beyond World Cup headlines and social media moments. Nadine opens up about what has changed, what still needs to change, and the personal journey that shaped her into one of the most exciting players in the game.

Inside this episode:

The reality for Springbok Women after the World Cup

Why sponsorship and structure still matter

What South Africa needs to close the gap on the top nations

Why girls’ rugby in schools is such a big issue

How her grandmother helped shape her life

lessons on discipline, adversity, and belief

her message to the next generation of female athletes

Chapters:

00:00 Women’s rugby stigma in South Africa

01:46 Intro: Nadine Roos joins the show

03:34 What changed after the World Cup?

07:23 Recognition and role models

12:46 How South Africa reached the quarter-final

18:05 What South Africa still lacks

28:15 Why girls’ rugby in schools still struggles

35:13 Nadine’s upbringing and her grandmother

43:05 University, bursary, and first rugby income

49:04 Missing parents, gratitude, and support

56:24 Advice for young female athletes

1:00:21 Social media, discipline, and modern pressure

1:06:06 Final thanks

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Listen now, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who cares about rugby, growth, and opportunity.

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

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In this episode, Gordon Pretorius joins The Coach G Show to unpack one of the biggest problems in rugby coaching: players getting overloaded with information and not learning well enough under pressure.

Gordon is a coach and university educator based in the Netherlands, and this conversation sits right at the intersection of rugby, learning, performance, and coach development.

You’ll hear:

• Why great training does not always lead to great performance
• How coaches overload players without realizing it
• Why chaos and unpredictability matter in rugby training
• How to improve meetings, learning, and retention
• What working memory means in a rugby context
• How players can better remember roles, calls, and key actions
• Smart ways coaches can use AI to improve planning and feedback

This is a practical episode for rugby coaches, players, and anyone trying to build better performance through better learning.

Listen, follow, and share with a coach or player who needs this conversation.