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
05 Feb 2026, 3:11
21
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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.
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
30 Jan 2026, 2:23
61
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
24 Dec 2025, 4:00
35
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
23 Dec 2025, 4:00
3
Opinion
Top 5 players of 2025: Springbok Women
Here are the five players who stood tallest for South Africa this year, whose performances shaped a watershed season and pushed th…
Daniel Gallan
15 Dec 2025, 2:55
Exclusive
Top 100 - Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: 'I still need to prove myself for people to understand who I am'
The newly-crowned RugbyPass world’s best player of 2025 on his need to be understood and how he shapes his own reality.
Daniel Gallan
15 Dec 2025, 2:30
16
Opinion
Something all rugby fans need to remember... particularly Bok fans
It is said that comparison is the thief of joy, but try telling that to any sports fan. For supporters, comparison isn’t theft; …
Daniel Gallan
11 Dec 2025, 9:28
97
Opinion
Rated: The best and worst Springboks of 2025
From unsung heroes to emerging stars, there were plenty of good individual performances in 2025. But which player was rated the hi…
Daniel Gallan
09 Dec 2025, 6:30
3
Analysis
'We are the fix' - How the Sharks can regain their bite to build a dynasty
John Plumtree's men face a genuine dynasty in Toulouse pondering how they can build their own and deliver on the talent within
Daniel Gallan
04 Dec 2025, 13:45
14
Opinion
Springboks player ratings vs Wales | Quilter Nations Series 2025
Springboks player ratings: South Africa finished their year on a blunt, physical note in Cardiff as they overpowered Wales in a ma…
Daniel Gallan
29 Nov 2025, 9:19
21
Opinion
Thumbgate: The Ireland-South Africa mask has well and truly slipped
Rassie Erasmus has spent the past seven years downplaying the opinions of outsiders. This has been one of his super strengths as S…
Daniel Gallan
24 Nov 2025, 2:24
58
Opinion
Why many Springboks fans will never give Ireland their dues
This is it. The last box that needs ticking. The final itch to scratch. The only piece of unfinished business left on the to-do li…
Daniel Gallan
20 Nov 2025, 3:14
136
Opinion
Why Jasper Wiese is the blunt object keeping the Bok machine purring
The South Africa No 8 may not be the most sophisticated of players but his go-forward is vital to South Africa's gameplan
Daniel Gallan
18 Nov 2025, 1:11
14
The crazy truth underpinning this Springboks team
And yet none of that mattered. In a game they should have lost the Springboks triumphed...
Daniel Gallan
16 Nov 2025, 2:58
42
Opinion
Springboks player ratings vs Italy | Quilter Nations Series 2025
Springboks player ratings: This wasn’t a showstopper, but it was a formidable showing from the world champions, who had to fight…
Daniel Gallan
15 Nov 2025, 6:40
20
Opinion
The difficulty with writing about this Springboks team
It is becoming increasingly difficult to cover the Springboks as a columnist. In this business, originality is key, but the contin…
Daniel Gallan
10 Nov 2025, 4:43
75
Opinion
Springboks player ratings vs France | Quilter Nations Series 2025
Springboks player ratings: Once again the Springboks have sauntered into the home of French rugby, stomped all over the c…
Daniel Gallan
08 Nov 2025, 14:14
57
Exclusive
'He'll be the greatest Bok ever' - but is South African rugby ready for Feinberg-Mngomezulu?
In a rugby culture where quiet sacrifice is the archetype, the remarkable young playmaker bucks the trend.
Daniel Gallan
06 Nov 2025, 5:35
48
Opinion
The internet hates Springboks fans... reality disagrees
An avowed communist is now running New York. A literal Nazi sits in the White House. London is a blood-soaked war zone. None of th…
Daniel Gallan
06 Nov 2025, 2:17
31
Exclusive
'It will hurt until the end of time': How the Miracle of Brighton unfolded for horrified Springboks
Ten years on, Japan's sensational upset against the mighty Springboks echoes through rugby history. Especially for the vanquished …
Daniel Gallan
30 Oct 2025, 9:03
3
