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Ben-Piet van Zyl

1935 – 1973

Rugby player

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About Ben-Piet van Zyl

Lived 1935 – 1973 (aged 37). Ben-Piet van Zyl was a rugby union player.

Barend Pieter van Zyl (1 August 1935 – 10 March 1973) was a South African international rugby union player.

The son of a Rhodesian–based pastor, van Zyl was born in Gwelo and educated at Secondary School Trompsburg.

During his theology studies, van Zyl played rugby for Maties and had a brief international career with the Springboks. He first appeared for the Springboks as a replacement player on their 1960–61 tour of Europe, after Hennie van Zyl was flown home due to the death of his father. His tour was limited to non international fixtures and included a match against the Barbarians. He gained his only Springboks cap against Ireland at Newlands in 1961, scoring two tries from the right wing. Three other players with the surname van Zyl played that match, but none were relations.

After retiring from rugby, van Zyl remained involved in the sport as a selector for Eastern Free State and was otherwise occupied by his work as a church minister. He died of a heart attack in 1973 while refereeing a rugby match.

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Important facts

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People in Ben-Piet van Zyl's life

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Ben-Piet van Zyl?

rugby player

When was Ben-Piet van Zyl born?

Ben-Piet van Zyl was born on 1 August 1935.

When did Ben-Piet van Zyl die?

Ben-Piet van Zyl died on 10 March 1973.

What was Ben-Piet van Zyl's occupation?

Ben-Piet van Zyl was a rugby union player.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ben-Piet van Zyl

· Wikidata: Q134409013

· DBpedia: Ben-Piet van Zyl

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ben-Piet van Zyl. https://biography.guide/ben-piet-van-zyl/

MLA: "Ben-Piet van Zyl." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ben-piet-van-zyl/.

Chicago: "Ben-Piet van Zyl." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ben-piet-van-zyl/.

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