Joe van Zyl had to endure multiple operations on his knee, but is back to his best for the Bulls in the Currie Cup. Photo: BackpagePix
While watching Joe van Zyl producing consistent performances for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup, you would never think that his career was nearly over not too long ago.
Having come through the Affies conveyor belt, Van Zyl was part of the Bulls squads that clinched the Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.
But the presence of Johan Grobbelaar, and subsequent additions of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and lately the experienced Akker van der Merwe, has dropped Van Zyl down the pecking order.
Grobbelaar and Wessels are now newly-capped Springboks, but things are looking better for Van Zyl, who has been one of the standout performers for their Bulls in their unbeaten Currie Cup campaign.
He was at it again in last week’s 40-24 victory over the Pumas in Mbombela, which saw the Pretoria side extend their unbeaten run to seven (six wins and a draw), ahead of this Friday’s clash against Griquas at Loftus Versfeld (7.05pm start).
Another thrilling weekend of Currie Cup action! Here are all the results from Round 7 🏉 Will we see a change in the log this coming weekend?#WhereChampionsRise #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/IR52OIg7n4
— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) August 19, 2024
“Obviously, I look up to them (Grobbelaar and Wessels). Personally for me, I’ve been through a few injuries over the last year-and-a-half. I’ve had about six ops on my right knee – at one time, I wasn’t even sure that I would play again,” Van Zyl said yesterday.
“So for me, playing in the Currie Cup now, having a few starts and good game time, I’m just focusing on myself at the moment and the team, game for game.
“I want both of them to do good and am glad that both are Springboks now, and they must bring back some wisdom ... some tricks from the Boks.
“As long as they are doing good and staying at the Boks, there will be more game time for me here.
“It definitely makes me appreciate it more to just play. I’ve been born and bred in Pretoria, and I’ve been happy here. My contract’s almost at the end now, at the end of the Currie Cup. So, I don’t know where I will be in a year or so.”
Playing well enough to earn a new Bulls deal may be a priority, but Van Zyl wants to continually improve his game as well to cope with the demands of modern-day rugby.
He will be keen to display his accurate line-out throws and powerful ball carrying once more against Griquas, who are coming off a 59-7 trouncing of the Griffons.
Blink and you'll miss it. #BackTheBulls | #DefendTheHerd pic.twitter.com/V7dNiVSRiK
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 20, 2024
Meanwhile, in the other fixtures this week, the second-placed Golden Lions – who beat Western Province 41-22 at Ellis Park last week – will travel to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs on Saturday (5pm), while WP will host the Sharks in Cape Town on the same day (3pm).
The weekend’s action will be rounded off by the Griffons and Pumas in Welkom on Sunday (3pm).
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