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Daniel Gallan

Daniel Gallan is a journalist and university lecturer specialising in the politics and history of sport at St Mary's University and the University of East London. From Johannesburg and now based in London, he has contributed to The Guardian, CNN, ESPN, The Telegraph and various sports titles around the world.

305 Articles
LONG READ
Exclusive

'Your brain picks up there's less oxygen... it hits you from the start' - but does altitude still really matter?

The sign at the Loftus Versfeld tunnel mouth has stood there for years, but as rugby evolves, does altitude still offer a great ad…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
29 Jun 2026, 12:59
LONG READ
Opinion

‘South Africa A should not be viewed as a novelty. It should be the missing piece in the country's rugby ecosystem’

A regular SA A programme could provide meaningful fixtures for emerging nations as well as a bridge from franchise rugby to the Te…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
19 Jun 2026, 8:36
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Exclusive

Johan Ackermann: ‘Coaching is a calling. You get the opportunity to influence young men’

The Bulls have lost three URC finals in four years, but their head coach is focused on a fresh chance to turn contenders into cham…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
16 Jun 2026, 10:16
LONG READ
Opinion

Is Tony Brown's move back to the All Blacks a sign of decreasing coaching talent?

Rugby now has a series of super coaches who move seamlessly from country to country but is there enough room for new up and coming…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
09 Jun 2026, 3:58
LONG READ
Interview

Vernon Matongo driven by the memory of his father - 'I told him I will be a Springbok'

Prop from Zimbabwe will hope to take another step forward in his quest to become a Springbok against Leinster this weekend.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
05 Jun 2026, 4:18
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Exclusive

'I was a loose cannon but now I am content' - Cobus Wiese on brotherhood, Bulls and Boks

The Wiese brothers grew up on a farm in Northern Cape and still dream of sharing the field in the green and gold of South Africa.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
28 May 2026, 7:38
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Exclusive

'I want the world to see what these African communities can teach us' - How rugby is being redefined in Malawi

An extraordinary charity programme is bringing rugby to Malawi - but not in the way you might think

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
13 May 2026, 9:19
Opinion

The uncomfortable truth revealed from the Squidge vs Goode spat

It started, like so many of these nothingburgers do, with a post on X.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
06 May 2026, 4:42
Opinion

A love letter to rugby union's most misunderstood artists

In 50 years’ time, when future rugby fans look back on the highest-scoring men’s Six Nations in history, what will be their st…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
09 Apr 2026, 11:40
Analysis

Where does South Africa's Women's Super League go from here?

Libbie Janse van Rensburg gives her thoughts on Bulls' fourth Women's Super League title, the league's growth and what they need t…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
07 Apr 2026, 3:48
Opinion

What The Rugby Championship needs to do to rival the Six Nations

It was the greatest Six Nations in the competition's 26-year history. It might go down as the greatest rugby union tournament of a…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
17 Mar 2026, 8:32
LONG READ
Analysis

Why attack now outstrips defence in the 'chaos' of Six Nations rugby

In 2013, the Championship winning Welsh side conceded three tries during the tournament, so why in 2026 is it raining tries?

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
10 Mar 2026, 10:48
Opinion

The South African mindset England lack and how Borthwick can change that

Two weeks ago, as the wheels fell off at England’s home of rugby, Steve Borthwick hauled off his starting hooker before the half…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
04 Mar 2026, 9:52
LONG READ
Interview

How training methods are changing with the rise of the hybrid player

Focusing on horizontal force, over vertical strength, has been one of the developments to help players effectively cover multiple …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
20 Feb 2026, 5:28
Opinion

Edwin Edogbo does not need to prove that he is Irish

On the same day the Irish Rugby Football Union had to turn off comments on a social media post that celebrated debutant Edwin Edog…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
16 Feb 2026, 9:42
Opinion

Where Irish rugby should actually look if they want to play blame game

Children around the world are told not to point fingers at others as three more point back in their own direction. It seems the la…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
09 Feb 2026, 9:54
Opinion

It's about time rugby fans grew up

Rugby fans have been slow on the uptake. When news broke that ITV would run adverts during its live coverage of Six Nations matche…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
05 Feb 2026, 5:11
Opinion

The Springboks' biggest critic might be right on this one

I hate to admit it, but Ben Smith has a point. “Signing big name Springbok stars is possibly the dumbest deal any overseas club …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
30 Jan 2026, 4:23
Opinion

Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

Santa has already given South African rugby so much this year. Sustained dominance at the top of the men’s rankings, a World Rug…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
24 Dec 2025, 6:00
Opinion

Return to the glory days: 5-strong Christmas wishlist for domestic rugby in SA

A curious disparity exists within South African rugby. At the elite level things have never been better. The men’s Springboks ha…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
23 Dec 2025, 6:00
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