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Report: Saracens linked to Springbok No.9
By Ian Cameron
South African media are reporting that sometime Springbok and current Bulls scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl is set to join Saracens.
The Bulls number 9, who has been capped six times by the Springboks, has decided to head to Europe and the RFU Championship side look to be favourites to sign him.
According to Netwerk 24, Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone has insisted that Van Zyl won’t be released before mid-2021. Saracens have three nines on the books currently: Aled Davies, Alex Day and Tom Whiteley. Eleven first-team players have left the Saracens since last season.
Van Zyl was first called up to the Springboks in 2018, making his debut against Wales in a rare away Test match in Washington DC, but was not included in their World Cup Squad for Japan last in 2019.
Having slipped down the South African scrumhalf depth charts, the 25-year-old presumably sees a move to a more lucrative rugby market as a smart one.
SARACENS FULL SENIOR SQUAD LIST
PROPS
Alec Clarey
Eroni Mawi
Josh Ibuanokpe
Mako Vunipola
Ralph Adams-Hale
Richard Barrington
Vincent Koch
HOOKERS
Jamie George
Kapeli Pifeleti
Tom Woolstencroft
LOCKS
Callum Hunter-Hill
Joel Kpoku
Maro Itoje
Tim Swinson
BACK ROW
Andy Christie
Billy Vunipola
Calum Clark
Jackson Wray
Janco Venter
Mike Rhodes
Sean Reffell
SCRUMHALVES
Aled Davies
Alex Day
Tom Whiteley
FLYHALVES
Manu Vunipola
Owen Farrell
Will Hooley
CENTRES
Dom Morris
Duncan Taylor
Elliot Daly
Harry Sloan
Juan Pablo Socino
BACK THREE
Alex Lewington
Ali Crossdale
Elliott Obatoyinbo
Rotimi Segun
Sean Maitland
DEPARTURES
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Panosonic Wild Knights)
Joe Gray (Harlequins)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)
Matt Gallagher (Munster)
Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues)
Titi Lamositele (Montpellier)
Viliami Hakalo (Retired)
Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
Richard Wigglesworth (Leicester Tigers)
Brad Barritt (Retired)
LOANS RETURNING FOR 2021/22 CAMPAIGN
Alex Lozowski (Montpellier)
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
Nick Isiekwe (Northampton Saints)
Nick Tompkins (Dragons)
Alex Goode (NEC Green Rockets)
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Latest Comments
With France sending a slightly under strength team, having the Boks twice at home and Ireland in the USA rather than at the Aviva, its not inconceivable the ABs could go Undefeated in 2025. The schedule is more favourable than 2024 and they will improve. It's a huge ask, but it's not completely out of the question.
Go to commentsAgreed. He hasn’t transferred the dominance of one level to the next. He will be a weapon when he does though.
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