The Coach G Show

It’s not about systems — it’s about players . Alan Zondagh shares the mindset behind decades of coaching success: turning “Dopeys” into internationals . With AB Zondagh, he unpacks the Ball Man concept, the Rugby Speedometer , and the balance between structure and creativity in modern attack. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc7...

From a 53m Lions series-winner in 2009 to repeating the fairytale in 2021, Morne Steyn breaks down how composure is trained, not born. We unpack the Bulls brotherhood, why today’s kickers struggle with consistency, how screens and over-structure affect vision, and what real “player-led” standards look like. 📩  Join Lessons From The Game  Community - https://www.skool.com/lessons-from-the-game-749...

Why doesn’t a great training week show up on Saturday? Coach G and Ben break down the transfer gap—training design that mirrors the game, guided discovery vs over-coaching, player ownership and reviews, managing mental load, and simple lifestyle wins (sleep, hydration). We share pro & amateur case studies and tease a masterclass to turn prep into performance. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community -...

Former player Stef Evans joins Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Begna on Lessons from the Game to share her powerful journey — from early rejection in sport to becoming a driving force for women’s rugby worldwide. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/abo...

Ali Williams reflects with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna on the darkest times of his career — the injuries, benchings, and mistakes that nearly broke him — and the lessons he learned about resilience, vulnerability, and putting the team before yourself. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Comm...

From Loftus ball boy to Springbok, Dan Van Zyl’s story is about resilience, transition, and mentorship. He opens up about juggling cricket and rugby, the shift to professionalism, and how he’s now shaping young players through Rugby Academy Ireland. A must-listen for players, coaches, and anyone chasing growth in rugby and life. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708...

Contact & collision specialist Richie Gray shares why the best coaches “coach people, not players,” and how to create accurate aggression —the controlled edge that wins tackles and breakdowns. We dig into earning trust in superstar environments, keeping messages simple under fatigue, individualizing coaching inside a team, Fiji’s shared-vision culture, and drill-based training that sharpens te...

Dan Norton – the all-time leading try scorer in World Rugby Sevens and a two-time Olympian – joins Lessons from the Game to share the mindset, habits, and lessons that kept him at the top for over 14 years. 📩  Join Lessons From The Game  Community - https://www.skool.com/lessons-from-the-game-7496/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com...

You’re only as good as your last game. In this short-form episode, Coach G and Ben unpack why process beats panic, how to crush negative head talk, and the reset tool pros use: Step Back → Step Up → Step Back In. 📩  Join Lessons From The Game  Community - https://www.skool.com/lessons-from-the-game-7496/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.sko...

Brad Barritt unpacks how Saracens built the Wolfpack culture, why resilience is the ultimate competitive edge, and how shared leadership empowered stars like Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje . He also details Brendan Venter’s “17% of your time” philosophy, the stonecutter mindset behind bouncing back from setbacks, and his transition from elite rugby into Tikitonga Coffee , fintech and venture capital....

Heading back to school or joining a new team can be challenging—especially for young rugby players. In this episode, Coach G and Ben Pegna break down how to build confidence, make a strong impression, and find your place both on and off the field. Packed with lessons for players, coaches, and parents. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e450...

Attack, Attack, Attack. This week on Lessons From The Game , Gurthro Steenkamp & Ben Pegna welcome a special father-son duo: Alan Zondagh , one of rugby’s most respected coaching minds, and AB Zondagh , a progressive attack coach with experience at the Sharks, Toulouse, Scotland, and Lyon. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc7...

The Springboks vs the All Blacks – rugby’s ultimate rivalry. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩 Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec In this episode, Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna explore what it takes to face the All Blacks in their own b...

In this episode of Lessons From The Game , we sit down with JJ van der Mescht , the towering South African lock now making waves at Northampton Saints . From his days as a multi-sport schoolboy in Durban, to a headline move to France with Stade Français, JJ shares how he turned doubts about his size into fuel for success. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?...

In this short-form episode of Lessons from the Game , former Springbok captain Corné Krige shares the lessons that shaped his journey as a leader. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩 Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec From the importance of...

This week on Lessons From The Game , Coach G and Ben Pegna are joined by rugby super-agent Damien Dussault . From his start as a journalist to representing players worldwide, Damien has seen the game from every angle. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec 📩 Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group...

The Springboks’ recent defeat sparked headlines, but instead of criticism, we uncover the real lessons from the game 🏉 with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec⁠ 📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec⁠ In thi...

Andrew Trimble – Ulster legend, Ireland international, Six Nations champion, and co-founder of Kairos – joins Lessons from the Game co-hosts Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec⁠ 📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc...

Your title is temporary — your character is permanent. In this episode of Lessons from the Game , Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna explore the importance of humility and the dangers of letting your position define you. From Springbok captain Corné Krige’s perspective to Simon Sinek’s famous coffee cup story, they unpack how to stay grounded, lead authentically, and transition smoothly when your rol...

Former Springbok captain Corné Krige joins Lessons from the Game to share powerful lessons on leadership and resilience from his rugby career and beyond. We discuss captaining South Africa during one of its toughest periods, the influence of Nelson Mandela, the pressures of schoolboy rugby, and how to transition successfully into life after sport. If you’re interested in leadership, mental toughne...

On this Lessons from the Game short-form episode, Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna unpack why simplicity done brilliantly leads to greatness — a principle echoed by legends like Gary Gold, Victor Matfield, and Richie Gray. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec⁠ 📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/b...

In this deeply personal episode with Hosts Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna , Welsh rugby great Dafydd James joins Lessons from the Game to share the untold story of what happens when the stadium lights go off. He talks about his career with Wales and the Lions, the shock of retirement, battling mental health, the loneliness of life post-rugby, and what truly helped him survive. Whether you’re a pl...

What happens when belief, hard work, and elite leadership collide? In this episode of Lessons from the Game , Victor Matfield breaks down how the Bulls transformed from bottom feeders to Super Rugby champions. He shares legendary stories about Heineken Meyer’s dream, brutal off-seasons, player-led training blocks, and the iconic “umbrella” story that led to a 72-point Super Rugby victory. This is...

This special episode of Lessons from the Game sees hosts Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna reflect on their journey since launching the show. They share behind-the-scenes insights, lessons from their guests, and how the podcast helped them navigate personal and professional challenges. From learning the power of consistency to stories about resilience, ego, and self-reflection – this episode is for...

Richie Gray’s journey is unlike any other. After being made redundant by Scottish Rugby, he committed to changing the game of contact and collision — and did just that. From designing world-class training tools to working with the Springboks, Scotland, and the Miami Dolphins, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and game-changing lessons. Follow for more stories from the world of elit...