Born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his education at Gonubie Primary before moving off to one of South Africa's best-known rugby nurseries, Dale College.
Daniel played Craven Week for the Border Bulldogs rugby team in 2003 and was recruited afterwards by the Sharks Rugby Academy.
Daniel came onto the provincial scene in the Super Rugby competition which earned him a place in the South Africa Under-21 team. He represented them in the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship in France where South Africa 24–13 lost in the final to the hosts. He was nominated for player of the tournament and went on to claim the South African Under-21 Player of the Year for 2006.
He then went on to debut for the Sharks in Super Rugby in 2006 and in 2008 he the fast try in the competition against the Blues just 16 seconds into the game.
On 30 October 2010, Daniel was selected to tour with the Springboks in their November tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He was not selected as a part of the initial squad of 39 but was later added after his performances in the Currie Cup semi-final and final.
He helpted the side to two Currie Cup titles in 2008 and 2010 before being named as the Sharks captain for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
In 2013 he reached the 100 appearance mark in the Currie Cup game against the Blue Bulls on 4 October 2013.
During the 2014 Super Rugby season, it was revealed that Daniel would join Japanese Top League side Kubota Spears on a two-year deal at the conclusion of the tournament. When his contract expired after the 2015–16 Top League season, he returned to South Africa to rejoin the Sharks.
He made 12 appearances for the Sharks during the 2016 Super Rugby season taking him to 117 Super Rugby caps and 16 tries. He suffered a season-long injury in the build up to the 2017 Super Rugby season but returned to the side during the Currie Cup.
Daniel has represented the Springboks on 5 occasions.
In April Daniel announced that he will retire at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season. He is one of a few players to have played over 100 Currie Cup and Super Rugby matches for one union.
JW April 18
Career
 |
South Africa Openside Flanker |
2010 - 2013 |
 |
Sharks No. 8 |
2006 - 2018 |
 |
Natal Sharks Openside Flanker |
