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Report: Saracens linked to Springbok No.9

Ivan van Zyl /Getty

South African media are reporting that sometime Springbok and current Bulls scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl is set to join Saracens.

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The Bulls number 9, who has been capped six times by the Springboks, has decided to head to Europe and the RFU Championship side look to be favourites to sign him.

According to Netwerk 24, Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone has insisted that Van Zyl won’t be released before mid-2021. Saracens have three nines on the books currently: Aled Davies, Alex Day and Tom Whiteley. Eleven first-team players have left the Saracens since last season.

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Why the best players are going to Japan:

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Why the best players are going to Japan:

Van Zyl was first called up to the Springboks in 2018, making his debut against Wales in a rare away Test match in Washington DC, but was not included in their World Cup Squad for Japan last in 2019.

Having slipped down the South African scrumhalf depth charts, the 25-year-old presumably sees a move to a more lucrative rugby market as a smart one.

SARACENS FULL SENIOR SQUAD LIST
PROPS
Alec Clarey
Eroni Mawi
Josh Ibuanokpe
Mako Vunipola
Ralph Adams-Hale
Richard Barrington
Vincent Koch

HOOKERS
Jamie George
Kapeli Pifeleti
Tom Woolstencroft

LOCKS
Callum Hunter-Hill
Joel Kpoku
Maro Itoje
Tim Swinson

BACK ROW
Andy Christie
Billy Vunipola
Calum Clark
Jackson Wray
Janco Venter
Mike Rhodes
Sean Reffell

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SCRUMHALVES
Aled Davies
Alex Day
Tom Whiteley

FLYHALVES
Manu Vunipola
Owen Farrell
Will Hooley

CENTRES
Dom Morris
Duncan Taylor
Elliot Daly
Harry Sloan
Juan Pablo Socino

BACK THREE
Alex Lewington
Ali Crossdale
Elliott Obatoyinbo
Rotimi Segun
Sean Maitland

DEPARTURES
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Panosonic Wild Knights)
Joe Gray (Harlequins)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)
Matt Gallagher (Munster)
Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues)
Titi Lamositele (Montpellier)
Viliami Hakalo (Retired)
Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
Richard Wigglesworth (Leicester Tigers)
Brad Barritt (Retired)

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LOANS RETURNING FOR 2021/22 CAMPAIGN
Alex Lozowski (Montpellier)
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
Nick Isiekwe (Northampton Saints)
Nick Tompkins (Dragons)
Alex Goode (NEC Green Rockets)

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SK 8 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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