Bok scrumhalf signs long-term deal with English giants

SPOTLIGHT: English club Saracens have secured the services of a key player.

On Friday, the club revealed that Ivan van Zyl has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

The deal will keep the South African scrumhalf at Sarries for the next three years.

Having joined from the Bulls in 2021, the 29-year-old has made over 90 appearances for Sarries, and has more recently taken up captaincy in the absence of Maro Itoje at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

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“𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢!”

We love having you, @IvanVanZyl1 🫶#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/vGowk1Oj7B

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 7, 2025

With six Springboks caps under his belt, Van Zyl has taken well to his time in North London. A season into his time with the club, Van Zyl managed to make the No.9 shirt his own in the title winning campaign.

Within two years at Saracens, Van Zyl managed to write his name in the history books by scoring a crucial try in the Premiership Final against Sale Sharks in the 2022/23 season.

“As a family there is nowhere else we would want to be than here,” said Van Zyl.

“This is home for us away from South Africa and I am grateful to extend my time with Sarries.

“It’s been an honour to captain the side at points this season and I look forward to continuing to give my all in a Saracens shirt.”

Director of Rugby Mark McCall is pleased that Van Zyl is staying at Saracens.

“Ivan is a highly respected player within our group and we are thrilled that he will remain with us.

“He typifies everything we want in a player and leader – a great competitor on the one hand and an outstanding teammate on the other.

“Ivan cares deeply about the people he plays with and sets a wonderful example with the consistency and level of his preparation.”