In this episode, Andrew Trimble shares what it took for Ireland to finally beat the All Blacks in Chicago 2016.
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From the belief built under Joe Schmidt to the leadership of Sexton & Rory Best, Trimble opens up about the preparation, pressure, and defining moments that changed Irish rugby forever.
A must-listen for rugby fans and players ahead of another epic Ireland-All Blacks clash.
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All Blacks legend Conrad Smith breaks down the habits behind sustained success: shared leadership, role clarity, reading the game, and handling World Cup pressure. He also opens up about life after rugby and his work supporting player welfare and purpose. Essential listening for players, coaches, and anyone who leads teams.
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South African rugby trailblazer Babalwa Latsha reveals how she approaches the scrum as a mind game, not just a battle of strength.
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She dives into:
• The mindset and technique behind women’s rugby• How role models like Beast Mtawarira and Serena Williams shaped her• The mental toughness it takes to recover from injury and stay grounded in purpose.
Hosted by Coach Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna on Lessons From The Game.
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Charlie Hodgson, one of England’s most respected fly-halves, joins Lessons from the Game to share the mindset that shaped his rugby journey — from moments of pressure and injury to personal growth and success beyond the field.
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In this honest and insightful conversation with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna, Charlie opens up about:
The power of reflection and reframing setbacks into growth
Managing performance anxiety and pressure in elite rugby
The “Effort Error vs Skill Error” philosophy that built accountability and trust at Saracens
Finding identity and purpose after professional rugby
How mindset and self-awareness can redefine success in sport and life
A masterclass in resilience, perspective, and personal evolution from one of rugby’s most thoughtful playmakers.
🎙️ Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp & Ben Pegna — Lessons from the Game
It’s not about systems — it’s about players.
Alan Zondagh shares the mindset behind decades of coaching success: turning “Dopeys” into internationals. With AB Zondagh, he unpacks the Ball Man concept, the Rugby Speedometer, and the balance between structure and creativity in modern attack.
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A must-listen for coaches who want to build smarter, braver, more skillful players — not just patterns.
🎯 Key Takeaways
Great coaching = developing better decision-makers
The Ball Man model for faster, instinctive attack
Why bravery and patience matter in skill acquisition
The Speed-Space-Connection framework explained
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From a 53m Lions series-winner in 2009 to repeating the fairytale in 2021, Morne Steyn breaks down how composure is trained, not born. We unpack the Bulls brotherhood, why today’s kickers struggle with consistency, how screens and over-structure affect vision, and what real “player-led” standards look like.
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Morne Steyn is a Springbok legend, three-time Super Rugby champion (Bulls), Top 14 winner (Stade Français), and the definition of clutch. Now a kicking consultant (Lions), entrepreneur, and founder of the MS10 clinics/foundation.
What you’ll learn
Pressure mastery: routines, “five-for-five” finish rule, and training under consequence.
Consistency vs. talent: why 80% is the true pro benchmark for goal-kickers.
Vision & decision-making: being 1–2 phases ahead; kicking first, then playing.
Bulls DNA: family culture, hard sessions, and why extra work matters.
Modern game truths: GPS trade-offs, over-coaching, and screen time’s impact on awareness.
Adapting abroad: language, culture, and leading as a 10 in France.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Mournay Steyn
02:45 Lessons from Rugby: Discipline and Hard Work
06:01 Iconic Moments: The 2009 British and Irish Lions Series
08:49 Reflections on a Successful Career
11:46 The Bulls Family: Team Spirit and Success
15:01 The Importance of Hard Work and Training
18:02 The Mindset of a Kicker: Pressure and Performance
20:52 The Evolution of Goal Kicking in Rugby
24:03 Adapting to Change: Playing in France
27:04 Giving Back: Coaching and Mentoring the Next Generation
30:10 The Future of Rugby: Insights and Advice
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Why doesn’t a great training week show up on Saturday? Coach G and Ben break down the transfer gap—training design that mirrors the game, guided discovery vs over-coaching, player ownership and reviews, managing mental load, and simple lifestyle wins (sleep, hydration). We share pro & amateur case studies and tease a masterclass to turn prep into performance.
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Former player Stef Evans joins Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Begna on Lessons from the Game to share her powerful journey — from early rejection in sport to becoming a driving force for women’s rugby worldwide.
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Founder of Ragged RFC and the I Care Movement, Stef opens up about inclusion, inequality, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of women’s rugby.
A conversation about resilience, belonging, and proving the world wrong.
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Women's Rugby Achievements
02:57 The Evolution of Women's Rugby
05:59 Personal Journeys in Rugby
09:02 The Impact of Inclusivity in Rugby
12:11 Challenges Faced by Female Rugby Players
14:51 The Role of Community and Support
18:10 Transitioning from Player to Coach
21:02 The Future of Women's Rugby
23:58 Lessons Learned from the Game
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Ali Williams reflects with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna on the darkest times of his career — the injuries, benchings, and mistakes that nearly broke him — and the lessons he learned about resilience, vulnerability, and putting the team before yourself.
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A raw and powerful episode for any player, coach, or fan who wants to understand what it really takes to succeed at the top level of rugby.
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From Loftus ball boy to Springbok, Dan Van Zyl’s story is about resilience, transition, and mentorship. He opens up about juggling cricket and rugby, the shift to professionalism, and how he’s now shaping young players through Rugby Academy Ireland. A must-listen for players, coaches, and anyone chasing growth in rugby and life.
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Chapters
00:00 The Journey of a Multi-Sport Athlete
04:42 Lessons from the Game: Sharing Knowledge
06:51 Roots in Rugby and Cricket
12:30 Mindset and Individual Performance
16:31 Transitioning to Professional Rugby
24:26 The Shift to Professionalism in Rugby
28:37 Learning from Experience: The Springbok Journey
36:23 Building Resilience in Young Players
42:30 The Role of the Dirt Tracker
47:25 Attributes for Success in Rugby
52:22 Coaching and Mentorship in Ireland
01:05:31 Giving Back: The Mission of Rugby Academy Ireland
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Contact & collision specialist Richie Gray shares why the best coaches “coach people, not players,” and how to create accurate aggression—the controlled edge that wins tackles and breakdowns. We dig into earning trust in superstar environments, keeping messages simple under fatigue, individualizing coaching inside a team, Fiji’s shared-vision culture, and drill-based training that sharpens technique while lowering injury risk. Hosted by Gurthro “Coach G” Steenkamp & Ben Pegna.
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Dan Norton – the all-time leading try scorer in World Rugby Sevens and a two-time Olympian – joins Lessons from the Game to share the mindset, habits, and lessons that kept him at the top for over 14 years.
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In this powerful conversation with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna, Dan opens up about:
The rivalries that pushed him to new heights 🏉
How he stayed consistent, fit, and fast across more than a decade of elite rugby
The importance of self-analysis and mental resilience in high performance
Insights for young players: scanning, decision-making & becoming a student of the game
The transition from rugby to life after sport in Dubai and finding a new identity
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of a Rugby Legend
06:00 Mental Resilience in High-Pressure Situations
11:58 The Evolution of Sevens Rugby
18:11 Lessons from the Game: Skills and Strategies
24:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Rugby Careers
29:51 Transitioning from Player to Coach
35:46 Reflections on Identity and Legacy
42:13 The Future of Sevens Rugby in the UK
48:09 Memorable Moments and Experiences in Rugby
54:01 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Players
Whether you’re a player chasing improvement, a coach building teams, or a fan of rugby’s most electric athletes, this episode is packed with lessons on performance, mindset, and resilience.
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You’re only as good as your last game. In this short-form episode, Coach G and Ben unpack why process beats panic, how to crush negative head talk, and the reset tool pros use: Step Back → Step Up → Step Back In.
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Brad Barritt unpacks how Saracens built the Wolfpack culture, why resilience is the ultimate competitive edge, and how shared leadership empowered stars like Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje. He also details Brendan Venter’s “17% of your time” philosophy, the stonecutter mindset behind bouncing back from setbacks, and his transition from elite rugby into Tikitonga Coffee, fintech and venture capital.
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Perfect for players, coaches, and leaders who want practical takeaways on culture, mindset, and performance.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of Resilience
03:06 Building a Winning Culture at Saracens
05:57 The Importance of Leadership and Team Dynamics
09:00 The Wolf Pack Mentality
11:56 Psychology of Success and Overcoming Setbacks
15:01 The Role of Individual Identity in Team Success
18:08 Shared Leadership and Genuine Leadership Traits
20:48 The Evolution of Saracens' Playing Style
24:03 The Stone Cutter Analogy and Its Impact
30:11 The Journey to Success
32:47 Preparing for Life After Rugby
34:47 Building a Coffee Brand
38:05 Transitioning from Player to Entrepreneur
42:34 Resilience in the Face of Adversity
49:30 The Meaning of Representing England
54:53 Reflections on Injuries and Team Spirit
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Heading back to school or joining a new team can be challenging—especially for young rugby players. In this episode, Coach G and Ben Pegna break down how to build confidence, make a strong impression, and find your place both on and off the field. Packed with lessons for players, coaches, and parents.
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Attack, Attack, Attack.
This week on Lessons From The Game, Gurthro Steenkamp & Ben Pegna welcome a special father-son duo: Alan Zondagh, one of rugby’s most respected coaching minds, and AB Zondagh, a progressive attack coach with experience at the Sharks, Toulouse, Scotland, and Lyon.
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They dive into:
Why attacking flair is vital in modern rugby
The Zondaghs’ philosophy of Speed, Space & Connection
Coaching players to think, adapt, and create under pressure
Stories from Saracens, Western Province, and the Springboks
Their new book: Attack, Attack, Attack
An inspiring episode for players and coaches who want to bring back creativity and courage into rugby.
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The Springboks vs the All Blacks – rugby’s ultimate rivalry.
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In this episode, Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna explore what it takes to face the All Blacks in their own backyard, leadership lessons from Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel, and why controlling the controllables matters more than the hype.
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In this episode of Lessons From The Game, we sit down with JJ van der Mescht, the towering South African lock now making waves at Northampton Saints. From his days as a multi-sport schoolboy in Durban, to a headline move to France with Stade Français, JJ shares how he turned doubts about his size into fuel for success.
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We unpack his journey of resilience, mental strength, and belief, his transformation from being labelled “overweight” to becoming a dominant force in the scrum, and how he balances professional rugby with coaching and building his real estate business.
This is a powerful conversation for young props, locks, and coaches looking to learn what it takes to dominate on and off the field.
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of JJ van der Meest
05:05 Belief and Self-Confidence in Rugby
11:34 The Importance of Pre-Season Training
17:45 Multi-Sport Background and Its Impact
23:26 Navigating the Path to Professional Rugby
29:10 Experiences in South African Rugby
32:24 Transitioning to Stade Francais
36:31 The Move to Northampton Saints
41:51 Mental Health and Balancing Life
47:19 Setting Goals and Improving Skills
52:09 Future Aspirations Beyond Rugby
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In this short-form episode of Lessons from the Game, former Springbok captain Corné Krige shares the lessons that shaped his journey as a leader.
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From the importance of discipline to leading South Africa through one of rugby’s toughest transitional eras, Corné reflects on:
Corné’s story goes beyond rugby — it’s about resilience, values, and leadership that apply in sport, business, and life.
🎧 Listen now and get inspired by one of South Africa’s most courageous leaders.
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#Rugby #Springboks #Leadership #Discipline #NelsonMandela #LessonsFromTheGame
This week on Lessons From The Game, Coach G and Ben Pegna are joined by rugby super-agent Damien Dussault. From his start as a journalist to representing players worldwide, Damien has seen the game from every angle.
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We dive into:
What players need to know about agents
The mindset differences between good and great players
The reality of French rugby and Top 14 life
Stories of resilience, setbacks, and bouncing back
Chapters
00:00 The Journey of a Rugby Agent
06:18 Mindset Over Contracts
19:59 Navigating the Rugby Landscape
25:57 The Role of an Agent
36:11 Cultural Adaptation in Rugby
49:09 The Allure of Top 14 Rugby
56:27 Misconceptions About French Rugby
01:03:43 The Human Side of Being an Agent
💡 A must-listen for players, coaches, and anyone passionate about rugby.
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