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Contributors

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.

Opinion

South Africa step backwards in hunt for Test rugby's holy grail

Rassie Erasmus finds himself in a similar position. South Africa’s mad genius has ticked just about every box.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
04 Sep 2025, 8:30
Opinion

'We’ve changed our lives forever': Why Bok Women's victory ranks so high

The Springboks women’s first win against a top ten team on Sunday might not have earned them a golden trophy but unquestionably …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
01 Sep 2025, 6:25
LONG READ
Interview

‘Sometimes we forget the camera is rolling. That’s when the magic happens’ - Ex-Bok Shimange packs podcast punch

Hanyani Shimange's playing career may not leap off the page but his warmth of personality shines through as a media host.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
01 Sep 2025, 5:38

Springbok Catha Jacobs: 'It’s the most important match in our history.'

“It’s the most important match in our history.” Catha Jacobs, South Africa’s imposing lock, doesn’t pull any punches whe…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
29 Aug 2025, 2:13
Analysis

What Sunday's performance showed about the Springbok Women

“We’re not here to participate, we’re here to compete,” Nadine Roos, scorer of South Africa’s first try on Sunday, decla…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
26 Aug 2025, 7:36
Opinion

Apologetic Erasmus comments were as baffling as they were unneeded

There are few things as unapologetic as a Springboks pack on the charge. Whether that snarling mass of humanity is scrumming, maul…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
25 Aug 2025, 9:13
Interview

Lochner: 'We want to prove women’s rugby in South Africa deserves respect'

Three years ago the Springbok Women celebrated after a crushing 75-0 World Cup defeat. Do not expect similar scenes this year if r…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
23 Aug 2025, 5:45
LONG READ
Analysis

Will the Boks 'keep the ball in the darkness' to avoid being rocked again?

South Africa may revert to type to wreak revenge on Australia, but the positives of their more expansive approach should not be lo…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
21 Aug 2025, 4:01
Opinion

Default Boks selection could be last chapter in Rassie's playbook

Cape Town won’t just host a Test match. It’s hosting an 80-minute referendum on the Springboks’ identity.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
20 Aug 2025, 0:01
Opinion

Dear South Africa, let us dine on humble pie

Does anyone have a decent recipe for humble pie? On Thursday I wrote that “if the Springboks don’t pulverise the Wallabies at …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
17 Aug 2025, 11:34
Opinion

Wallabies have no chance against the Springboks

In cricket, they say you can’t judge a pitch until both sides have batted. Maybe it’s a road, maybe it’s a minefield. You on…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
14 Aug 2025, 1:44
LONG READ
Opinion

Why South Africa's 'Dad's Army' are defying convention

The Springboks have an ageing squad but with careful management, continue to defy the odds in delivering clutch performances

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
13 Aug 2025, 22:34
Opinion

Romanticising rugby's dark arts and grubbery has got to go

27 May 2006. Fog covers the city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. The Bulls from Pretoria are in town to play the …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
07 Aug 2025, 5:56
Exclusive

Aseza Hele: The Springbok 'sweetheart' with a 'monster' inside

“I’m a sweetheart,” said Hele. “But when I play, you see the monster on the field. I cannot explain how I get to that poin…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
30 Jul 2025, 6:37
Exclusive

Jakkie Cilliers: 'Some ugly perceptions about women’s rugby still exist in South Africa'

Jakkie Cilliers played her first organised rugby match four years ago. A few weeks later she was playing provincial rugby, and wit…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
16 Jul 2025, 4:51
Opinion

Bok rule-benders are changing the game. They deserve respect

It’s been said that inspiration can come from anywhere, but even for Rassie Erasmus and his trailblazing Springboks, an under-14…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
14 Jul 2025, 5:53
Opinion

We need to talk about the Springboks' 'Bomb Squad'

For six years the Springboks’ vaunted Bomb Squad has inspired awe, admiration and antipathy in equal measure. The tactic of unle…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
10 Jul 2025, 6:42
Opinion

Springboks player ratings vs Italy | Castle Lager Incoming Series

Springboks player ratings: The Springboks never looked like losing to a second-string Italian outfit but this was hardly a vintage…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
05 Jul 2025, 10:15
LONG READ
Interview

'It was the first time in the whole history of South Africa that black and white people joined in a common goal.'

The exploits of the 1995 World Cup winning side, inspired by Nelson Mandela have spawned South Africa's greatest export; the Sprin…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
25 Jun 2025, 12:44
Opinion

Three burning Springbok questions Rassie Erasmus must answer in 2025

Get the fire started, grab a handful of biltong and pour yourself a double brandy and coke; the Springboks are back.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
24 Jun 2025, 7:06