Opinion
International Rugby
South African rugby 'family secret' adds extra spice to Boks vs All Blacks series
18
{{item.n}}
Contributors
Daniel Gallan
@danielgallan
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.
309 Articles
Latest
Nations Championship
Springboks fans have never been humble
271
17 days ago
Nations Championship
The Springboks may have just found their skeleton key
8
21 days ago
International Rugby
Why has 20-year-old Vusi Moyo been entrusted to be Springboks' No.10?
26
24 days ago
Nations Championship
Toxic Springboks fans miss the point in struggle session against Scotl
163
28 days ago
Opinion
'Rugby's old, muscular truth has survived its new, cerebral jargon'
The thrilling opening round of Nations Championship fare proved big men making hard yards remains a vital part of an ever-evolving…
Daniel Gallan
09 Jul 2026, 5:54
22
Opinion
The real Bok man of the match against England was glaringly obvious
There was a moment at the end of South Africa’s 45-21 demolition of England that brought to mind the most infamous Oscars mix-up…
Daniel Gallan
06 Jul 2026, 1:46
3
Interview
Steven Kitshoff: ‘Every scrum is an opportunity to have a full go at the opposition’
Double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff takes us inside the mindset of the South African scrum... and why losing to England "just …
Daniel Gallan
03 Jul 2026, 5:42
12
Opinion
Losing to Henry Pollock would be unbearable
There is no brandy and Coke mix strong enough for what would happen if Henry Pollock wins at Ellis Park.
Daniel Gallan
01 Jul 2026, 1:41
19
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
29 Jun 2026, 10:59
17
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
19 Jun 2026, 6:36
14
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
16 Jun 2026, 8:16
2
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
09 Jun 2026, 1:58
21
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
05 Jun 2026, 2:18
3
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
28 May 2026, 5:38
2
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
13 May 2026, 7:19
3
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
06 May 2026, 2:42
77
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
09 Apr 2026, 9:40
12
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
07 Apr 2026, 1:48
1
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
17 Mar 2026, 6:32
61
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
10 Mar 2026, 8:48
22
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
04 Mar 2026, 7:52
23
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
20 Feb 2026, 3:28
16
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
16 Feb 2026, 7:42
23
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
09 Feb 2026, 7:54
130
