Dan Van Zyl: From Cricket to Springboks – Resilience, Mentorship & Building Rugby Pathways
Description
From Loftus ball boy to Springbok, Dan Van Zyl’s story is about resilience, transition, and mentorship. He opens up about juggling cricket and rugby, the shift to professionalism, and how he’s now shaping young players through Rugby Academy Ireland. A must-listen for players, coaches, and anyone chasing growth in rugby and life.
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Chapters
00:00 The Journey of a Multi-Sport Athlete
04:42 Lessons from the Game: Sharing Knowledge
06:51 Roots in Rugby and Cricket
12:30 Mindset and Individual Performance
16:31 Transitioning to Professional Rugby
24:26 The Shift to Professionalism in Rugby
28:37 Learning from Experience: The Springbok Journey
36:23 Building Resilience in Young Players
42:30 The Role of the Dirt Tracker
47:25 Attributes for Success in Rugby
52:22 Coaching and Mentorship in Ireland
01:05:31 Giving Back: The Mission of Rugby Academy Ireland
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