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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.

216 Articles
Opinion

The Springboks have something you don't have

Before the final whistle sounds in Cardiff, the Springboks will have fielded 52 players across the calendar year. Jean Kleyn, who …

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
22 Nov 2024, 6:56
LONG READ
Opinion

'Steve Borthwick hung his troops out to dry - he should take some blame'

The England head coach shoulders some responsibility for his side's disappointing autumn results.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
21 Nov 2024, 6:05
Opinion

This Springboks team still relies largely on vibes

Rassie Erasmus asked this question after his team claimed yet another scrappy win against a top tier team. Just like the one point…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
16 Nov 2024, 17:03
Opinion

South Africa will beat England at a canter

Apologies in advance because I have a similarly annoying rhetorical of my own: Am I the only one who thinks that South Africa will…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
15 Nov 2024, 6:09
LONG READ
Opinion

'Who gives a crap?' Animosity towards the Springboks is proof of their dominance

Isn't hostility a sign you're on top? For the Springboks' detractors, that might explain a lot.

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
15 Nov 2024, 4:19
Analysis

The odd post-match demeanor of Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks

If you missed it, you might assume that the Springboks monstered their Scottish counterparts with another brutal display of Bomb S…

Daniel Gallan
Daniel Gallan
10 Nov 2024, 15:00
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
Daniel Gallan
08 Nov 2024, 11:25
LONG READ
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
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
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
Daniel Gallan
01 Nov 2024, 12:18
LONG READ
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
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
Daniel Gallan
23 Oct 2024, 8:34
LONG READ
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
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
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
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
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
Daniel Gallan
03 Oct 2024, 13:37
LONG READ
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
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
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
Daniel Gallan
27 Sep 2024, 6:41
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