Patience key for ambitious Bulls
WE ARE GETTING BETTER EVERY TIME WE PLAY Win against Sharks in Durban will be very timely for Mitchell’s charges in their big push for Super Rugby supremacy.
As a man of faith who is studying theology at Tuks, scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl is not worried when it will all come together for the Bulls team or for himself personally, he just knows it will.
Patience has been the 22-yearold’s watchword not only for the team but also in his own efforts to become the first-choice No 9 at Loftus Versfeld. But for everything to fall into place this weekend in the massive Super Rugby derby against the Sharks in Durban would be very timely indeed.
“We’ve just kept on building on the changes John Mitchell implemented in last year’s Currie Cup in Super Rugby and it won’t happen overnight. But we’re busy with the right processes and the wins over the Hurricanes and Stormers were special. Our understanding of what the coach wants is getting better every game.
“Personally, one needs to play to become better and when Piet van Zyl and Rudy Paige were both here it was difficult being behind them, I just had to use every opportunity when I got it and you feel on the back foot. Now there’s Embrose Papier and Andre Warner and there’s more pressure and competition, which brings out the best in us.
“I have to play to the best of my ability, but we need each other to be better. We all want to be the No 1 scrumhalf, but we all have the same main goal of making the Bulls better and filling Loftus Versfeld,” Van Zyl said.
The man tipped by legendary halfback Fourie du Preez as the right scrumhalf for the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup campaign had a delayed start to the season due to a serious shoulder injury, but the break has not lessened the high hopes for him at Bulls HQ.
“It was a long road after a big shoulder operation, but I feel really good now, there’s no hesitation when I play, and I’m really happy to be back.
“Fourie du Preez was obviously one of the best scrumhalves to ever play the game and one of my big role-models growing up. And he’s one of the Affies boys so I was really honoured when he said that. But it takes hard work on the field to make that a reality,” the former Afrikaanse Hoër captain said.