REAL RUGBY STATS

Springbok no. 357 · Left Wing

Hennie van Zyl

Hendrik Jacobus van Zyl · Lions

10Tests
6Tries
1Tours
24Age at debut

Test career

19601961

First test

25 Jun 1960, age 24 · Left Wing v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Last test

12 Aug 1961, age 25 · Left Wing v Australia, Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth

Biography

Hennie van Zyl was a tall, long-striding left wing who scored six tries in ten Tests. Born near Ventersdorp on 31 January 1936, he played for Diggers and Transvaal.

He scored twice on debut in the 13–0 win over New Zealand at Ellis Park in 1960, toured Britain, Ireland and France in 1960–61, and scored a hat-trick in the 28–3 win over Australia in 1961. He died on 1 December 2025.

Test history

10 tests · 18 points
DateOpponentVenuePositionResultProvince
25 Jun 1960New ZealandEllis Park, JohannesburgLeft WingW 13–0Lions
23 Jul 1960New ZealandNewlands, Cape TownLeft WingL 3–11Lions
13 Aug 1960New ZealandFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinLeft WingD 11–11Lions
27 Aug 1960New ZealandBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethLeft WingW 8–3Lions
17 Dec 1960IrelandAviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), DublinLeft WingW 8–3Lions
07 Jan 1961EnglandTwickenham, LondonLeft WingW 5–0Lions
21 Jan 1961ScotlandMurrayfield, EdinburghLeft WingW 12–5Lions
13 May 1961IrelandNewlands, Cape TownLeft WingW 24–8Lions
05 Aug 1961AustraliaEllis Park, JohannesburgLeft WingW 28–3Lions
12 Aug 1961AustraliaBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethLeft WingW 23–11Lions