Van Zyl was born in Pretoria, however he is a product of the famous Grey College school in Bloemfontein.
He made his Free State Cheetahs debut in 2010 and his impressive domestic performances saw him promoted to the Cheetahs side for the 2012 Super Rugby season. He played over 50 times in all competitions for the Cheetahs before signing for the Bulls in July 2013.
Van Zyl earned his first international call up ahead of South Africa's second match in the 2013 mid-year rugby union tests, taking the place of the injured Jano Vermaak in the squad.
He made his Springbok debut against Scotland on 15 June replacing Ruan Pienaar in the 69th minute of the match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in a 30–17 win for the home side. He earned his second cap a week later in South Africa's 56–23 drubbing of Samoa.
In 2016, Van Zyl was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team.
In October 2017 van Zyl announced his retirement for South African Rugby but stated that he is interested in a move abroad. The lively scrumhalf has made over 76 Super rugby appearances.
In January 2018, the talented scrum-half signed a deal to link up with London Irish for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.
He made 9 appearances for the club before signing with Stade Francais, where he will link up with his former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer.
He spent one season with Stade Francais before he called time on his playing career.
Career
 |
Cheetahs Outside Centre |
2008 - 2013 |
 |
Free State Cheetahs Scrum Half |
2014 - 2014 |
 |
South Africa Scrum Half |
2013 - 2016 |
 |
South Africa A Scrum Half |
2016 - 2017 |
 |
Bulls Scrum Half |
2014 - 2017 |
 |
Blue Bulls Scrum Half |
2014 - 2017 |
 |
London Irish Scrum Half |
2018 - 2018 |
 |
Stade Francais Scrum Half |
2018 - 2019 |
