Cheetahs forwards coach swaps

PRO14 rugby Thomond Park Limerick 9/9/2017
Munster vs Toyota Cheetahs
Toyota Cheetahs Corniel van Zyl forwards coach
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Cheetahs forwards coach swaps Bloemfontein for London Irish

English club London Irish have confirmed the appointment of Cheetahs forwards coach Corniel van Zyl.

Cheetahs forwards coach swaps

PRO14 rugby Thomond Park Limerick 9/9/2017
Munster vs Toyota Cheetahs
Toyota Cheetahs Corniel van Zyl forwards coach
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

London Irish have confirmed the appointment of Corniel van Zyl, with the current Cheetahs forwards coach set to be an assistant coach in Declan Kidney’s coaching set-up.

WATCH | SIYA KOLISI PRESENTED WITH HIS OWN RED BULL CAN – BY PARAGLIDER!

The 41-year-old makes the move from the Cheetahs where he has held a similar role since 2015.

Speaking of his delight at joining the Exiles, Corniel van Zyl said: “I’m really pleased to be here and excited about getting to work with this talented group of players and staff.

“It has always been a goal of mine to coach in the Premiership, so I’m delighted to be a part of the London Irish family.”

RIP | FORMER GOLDEN LIONS CEO DIES OF COVID-19

During his playing days, Van Zyl spent the majority of his career in Italy, for Treviso, where he amassed over 150 appearances in an eight-year spell.

The move to Italy saw Van Zyl take his first steps towards Test rugby, where he represented Italy ‘A’ before being named as one of two uncapped players in the Italians’ 2011 Rugby World Cup squad.

He played in four of Italy’s World Cup matches, starting three times, and would earn another four caps for Italy, with the last coming in 2012 against Wales.

He retired from professional rugby in 2015, playing the last of his 160 matches for Treviso.

Thereafter, Van Zyl moved into coaching the Cheetahs, for whom he featured on 48 occasions as a player earlier in his career.

READ | AUSTRALIA OFFERS TO HOST SPRINGBOK V BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR