Paul Willemse: Identity, Sacrifice & Leaving the Game Behind
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.Coach G's Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecHe 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 sportChapter: 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 ProjectsIf you’re a player, coach, or someone navigating transition, this episode will speak to you.
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1:40:58
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1:40:58
5 Lessons the Springboks Taught Us Against France
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.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecDrawing 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 matchesThe Red Card Mindset and how elite teams stay calm with 14 menWhat real team sacrifice looks like (inside Siya Kolisi’s 100th test)How the Boks played to their strengths when it mattered mostThe Next Job Mindset that keeps players in the fight after mistakesThis 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 Engagement01:31 Key Lessons from the Springbok Game03:44 The Role of Emotion in Performance06:06 Understanding the Red Card Mindset08:53 Team Sacrifice and Individual Roles11:45 Playing to Your Strengths15:32 Staying in the Fight18:47 Q&A and Community InteractionFollow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
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30:24
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30:24
Building Trust, Toughness & Team Culture in High-Performance Rugby : Stephan du Toit:
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.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecSteph 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 Success01:09 – Welcome & Episode Setup05:53 – Stormers’ Winning Recipe09:00 – What Hasn’t Changed Since 200711:15 – Season Planning (Pre/In/Off)14:06 – Measuring Progress That Matters16:01 – What “Coachable” Really Means20:36 – Advice to Coaches: Prep & Ethics32:18 – Training Without a Gym36:02 – Scrum-Strong: Key Lifts & Mobility42:30 – How Much Scrum Time Is Enough?57:04 – Setbacks & Mindset ResetFollow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
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1:02:42
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1:02:42
France vs South Africa: Revenge or Reality?
Short-form preview of France vs South Africa with Coach G and French agent Damien Dussault. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecWe 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.Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
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38:08
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38:08
Life Is a Team Game: Inside 25 Years of South African Rugby with Simnikiwe Xabanisa
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.”📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecThis 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.ChaptersTotally—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 here07:17 – SA Rugby’s evolution: 2000s to Rassie22:16 – How player access & media changed27:57 – 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, transformation56:09 – The rise of Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu58:14 – France vs Springboks: rivalry, emotion, stakes01:06:51 – Habits behind a 25-year journalism career01:14:22 – Setback to comeback: Sim’s toughest years01:28:06 – Closing thoughts & what’s nextFollow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp
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.
New Zealand