Sakkie van Zyl
Full names: Christoffel Gert Petrus
Date of birth: 1 Jul 1932
Place of birth: Dealesville
School: Dealesville
Springbok no: 410
Springbok debut province: Orange Free State
Physical: 1.85m, 99.8kg
Date of death: 24 Nov 2017 (Age 85)
Test summary: Tests: 4 Tries: 0
First Test: 31 Jul 1965 Age 33 - Loose-head Prop against New Zealand at Athletic Park, Wellington
Last Test: 18 Sep 1965 Age 33 - Loose-head Prop against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland
Tours Australia & New Zealand 1965
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
31 Jul 1965 33Loose-head Prop New Zealand Athletic Park, Wellington Lose: 3-6  OFS
21 Aug 1965 33Loose-head Prop New Zealand Carisbrook, Dunedin Lose: 0-13  OFS
04 Sep 1965 33Loose-head Prop New Zealand Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch Win: 19-16  OFS
18 Sep 1965 33Loose-head Prop New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland Lose: 3-20  OFS

Sakkie van Zyl: Terry McLean

He tried for years and years to win a Springbok cap and had always been a runner-up, never the victor. At the time of leading Orange Free State to a victory over the touring Welshmen in 1964, he was ready to retire. Danie Craven interposed. He persuaded Sakkie to play for one more year. Now, at last, Sakkie is one of the immortals who have worn the emblem of the bouncing buck in an international.

Deep down, he was said to have a fiery temper, but you would have to dig deep to find this, for he had a natural charm and a courtesy or sportsmanship which was extremely attractive. Everyone felt extremely delighted when the Tour Committee, maintained him as vice-captain for the first test, even after an injury had brought Malan, the normal forward leader, back to the side. Sakkie was that sort of bloke, everyone was usually on his side.

From a footballing point of view, van Zyl had two points of commendation, he chased harder and more conscientiously than many of his companions and he could dribble with a skill to match the very best of the old-timers. His support play in the lineout was decidedly not of the standard an All Black selector would set for an internationally.