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Bulls bid farewell to Springbok scrumhalf

The Bulls' Springbok scrumhalf, Ivan van Zyl, will leave Loftus Versfeld later this year to continue his career in Europe.

The Bulls confirmed that Springbok scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl will depart Loftus Versfeld to join English club, Saracens, at the end of June.

Van Zyl joined the Bulls in 2014, directly after finishing school across the road at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool.

The 25-year-old former Junior Springbok made his first-class debut during the 2015 Cup campaign and followed this up with his debut in the Carling Currie Cup later that year and his Super Rugby debut the following year.

Van Zyl established himself as a sturdy scrumhalf, unafraid of roughing it up with the forwards and providing a crisp pass that serviced his backline effectively.

In 2018, his hard work and relentless pursuit of perfection earned him a Springbok call-up where he made his debut against Wales in Washington DC and has subsequently amassed six caps in the green and gold.

“Ivan has led our backline alongside the veteran Morné Steyn, extremely well and his keen sense of the game has served our game plan perfectly. His direct approach, speed and strength will be a massive boost for Saracens and we know that he will be an asset to them and wish him well,” said Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White.

Van Zyl expressed his gratitude to the Bulls and their supporters.

“I’ve always wanted to play for this team having grown up in Pretoria and watching the likes of Fourie du Preez and company. I must thank all involved at Loftus Versfeld for backing me and allowing me to chase my dreams. It’s not goodbye but rather until we see each other again and I wish all my fellow Bulls players the best of luck,” he remarked.

 

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Koos Venter

Koos Venter is an experienced journalist who started his career 35 years ago, before the days of cellphones, modern computer systems, the internet and digital cameras, as a correspondent for Nexus, the former national magazine of the Department of Correctional Services. He has since worked for various other publications in all aspects of news coverage, as a columnist and in the production side of newspapers and online publications. Since 2007 he has specialized as a sports writer, while he is also regularly used as an analyst and commentator by several radio stations.
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