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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
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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