Hendrik Jacobus van Zyl (born 31 January 1936) is a South African former rugby union international.
Born on a farm outside of Ventersdorp, van Zyl learnt his rugby while in boarding school. He was a winger known for his long strides and made his provincial debut for Transvaal in 1959.
Van Zyl was capped in 10 Tests for the Springboks, scoring two tries on debut to help them to a win over New Zealand at Ellis Park in 1960. On the 1960–61 tour of Europe, van Zyl played in three of the Tests, before having to return home as his father had been killed in a lightning strike. He scored a hat-trick against Australia in his second last Test match.
In 1962, van Zyl left the Springboks to play rugby league.
See also
List of South Africa national rugby union players
References
External links
1936 births
Living people
South African rugby union players
South Africa international rugby union players
Rugby union wings
Golden Lions players
Rugby union players from North West (South African province) People from Ventersdorp South African rugby league players