Opinion
Autumn Nations Series
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.
210 Articles
Latest
5 days ago International Rugby
This Springboks team still relies largely on vibes
6 days ago Autumn Nations Series
South Africa will beat England at a canter
6 days ago Autumn Nations Series
Animosity towards the Boks is proof of their dominance
11 days ago Autumn Nations Series
The strange post-match demeanor of Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks
Opinion
How Rassie Erasmus' risky plan could backfire
As if we didn’t already know, none of us can predict what Rassie Erasmus is going to do next. Because not even the best and brig…
Daniel Gallan
08 Nov 2024, 11:25
Opinion
Borthwick the innovator needs to trust his instincts and cut England loose
England must rally against inherent conservatism to unleash a backline of gifted athletes or risk mediocrity
Daniel Gallan
08 Nov 2024, 6:46
Opinion
It's about time rugby kicked out one of its values
Last Saturday, after Mark Tele’a carried several English players on his back en route to a blockbuster try in the right corner, …
Daniel Gallan
08 Nov 2024, 6:08
Opinion
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre
Let’s start with the glaring caveat: Rassie Erasmus knows a thing or two about rugby. He’s on track to retire as the most deco…
Daniel Gallan
01 Nov 2024, 12:18
Opinion
Would a Springboks B team really conquer the world?
South Africa's phenomenal depth and conveyor belt of muscular titans makes this a question worth asking.
Daniel Gallan
01 Nov 2024, 4:08
Opinion
Did Rassie Erasmus miss a trick with his latest South Africa squad?
Rassie Erasmus’ latest Springboks squad selection serves as evidence of two important truths in elite sport: nothing comes easy …
Daniel Gallan
23 Oct 2024, 8:34
Analysis
'No scrum, no win' - Why props could become rugby's new poster boys
The front-row juggernauts are big athletes with big personalities, and a job which requires brain as well as brawn.
Daniel Gallan
22 Oct 2024, 8:47
Opinion
Siya Kolisi is right: The Springbok Women are a force on the rise
No one could deny that rugby is disproportionally tilted towards the men’s game around the world, but nowhere is this imbalance …
Daniel Gallan
17 Oct 2024, 11:53
Opinion
Is this why Ireland and England struggle to win World Cups?
Hulle weet nee wat ons weet nie. They don’t know what we know. This refrain, popularised by the UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis, h…
Daniel Gallan
11 Oct 2024, 9:34
Interview
'If I lose my position, I lose my contract, my family won’t eat'
Springbok Women prop Sanelisiwe Charlie has never conceded a scrum penalty. She talks to Daniel Gallan about the secrets of her su…
Daniel Gallan
11 Oct 2024, 8:18
Exclusive
'I struggle to trust people': How trauma shaped Springbok star Nadine Roos
Nadine Roos does not remember the most traumatic moment of her life, but the consequences of it have stayed with her for more than…
Daniel Gallan
03 Oct 2024, 13:37
Opinion
Five key questions the Springboks urgently need to answer
Rassie Erasmus helped engineer the first Rugby Championship win in 15 years but there are still areas that need improving
Daniel Gallan
30 Sep 2024, 15:55
Opinion
Springboks player ratings vs Argentina | 2024 Rugby Championship
The South African Springboks secured the Rugby Championship title with a clinical 48-7 thumping of Argentina in Mbombela. A bliste…
Daniel Gallan
28 Sep 2024, 12:52
Opinion
Rassie Erasmus has an old problem to solve
Six years ago Rassie Erasmus had a problem to solve. He’d only been in charge of the Springboks for 10 games at that point and h…
Daniel Gallan
27 Sep 2024, 6:41
Exclusive
Tayla Kinsey: How women’s Springboks are embracing the Bomb Squad
The Bomb Squad. Just reading those two words stacked together like interlocking second rowers is enough to send some rugby fans in…
Daniel Gallan
26 Sep 2024, 9:50
Opinion
'Beauden Barrett couldn't hold my eye contact' - How the Impi warriors channel South African rugby spirit
These ultra-muscular men who leap before away teams are a visceral symbol of Springbok identity.
Daniel Gallan
26 Sep 2024, 4:17
Opinion
Is Eben Etzebeth the GOAT of locks?
Is Eben Etzebeth the greatest lock of his generation? Perhaps if we find a definitive conclusion there, we can then ponder where h…
Daniel Gallan
20 Sep 2024, 6:29
Opinion
Any Prem-URC merger should be rejected out of hand
So why is this story of a possible merger between the United Rugby Championship and the Premiership being taken seriously?
Daniel Gallan
13 Sep 2024, 11:49
Opinion
'With near-religious conviction, how good does it feel to be a Bok fan?'
For those with longer memories than 2019, the Rassie Erasmus era is a time of vast plenty.
Daniel Gallan
13 Sep 2024, 6:41
Analysis
Springboks player ratings vs All Blacks | The Rugby Championship
This 18-12 win in Cape Town was hard won, but there is no doubting they deserved it after keeping the All Blacks at arm’s length…
Daniel Gallan
07 Sep 2024, 14:34
