Van Zyl making the most of every chance, says Bulls team must do the same in final
The team that makes the most of their opportunities will win the Currie Cup final, according to Bulls scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl, who has certainly been making the most of every chance he has had to shine this season.
The Bulls take on the Sharks in Saturday’s final at Loftus Versfeld and Van Zyl, who has been the most consistent scrumhalf in South Africa this season, will be a key player for the home side. His basics of passing and kicking have been outstanding, but he says being allowed to have a bit more freedom in terms of expressing himself has seen his confidence skyrocket.
“In finals rugby, the team that makes best use of their opportunities will win and this team has been functioning brilliantly as a unit, which makes a massive difference for a scrumhalf. I have had a very good season and I’m very happy with the way things are going, and it’s because the small stuff is working out. When everyone is playing with confidence, it makes you look even better.
“I’ve always thought my basics have been quite good, but coach Jake [White] came to me early in the season and showed me some small things, what he wanted to see more of in my game. Coach Chris [Rossouw, backline] deserves a lot of credit as well because he identified some key areas in my game that would help me take it to the next level. That gave me confidence.
“It gave me a freedom I haven’t experienced before and I’m very grateful for it because it has helped me take my game to the next level. One of my goals was to be a Springbok again and I believe I’m good enough to play there, I think the way I’ve played has shown that. Selection is not in my control though, but I would give anything to get back there,” Van Zyl said on Monday.
The Bulls will only be making a call towards the end of the week on outside centre Stedman Gans, who was a late withdrawal from the semi-final against the Lions due to a hamstring niggle, with Marnus Potgieter likely to start at No.13 if the Springbok Sevens star is not fit. Marco Jansen van Vuren did an excellent job in the semi-final, but his utility value means he would probably be more impactful off the bench.
The 21-year-old Potgieter would just throw more youthfulness into the pot for the Bulls, but Van Zyl said their strength this season has been how well the experienced and the more inexperienced have blended together.
“We have a great mixture at this moment, the seniors combine really well with the youngsters. There are no egos, it’s not about the individual, which is a massive thing. Everyone buys into what is going to be better for the team as a whole and we have incredible leadership. I love being part of this team, both on and off the field, and this is the dream: playing in the Currie Cup final.”
The Bulls have not won the Currie Cup since their 23rd title in 2009, but like an old guitar that has been retuned and is now playing beautiful melodies, the current outfit playing out of Pretoria could revive those memories.
“This is my eighth year at the Bulls and as a kid I used to watch them play and win finals. It would mean everything to me, at the end of the 80 minutes, to be standing there and holding the Currie Cup. We will put in the hard yards this week to get that result. We are a proud union but it’s been quite a long time since we’ve won the Currie Cup. This would be a special one to win,” Van Zyl said.