Navan Rugby Football Club is delighted to announce the immediate appointment of Dan Van Zyl as Head Coach of our Senior & J1 Men’s teams. Dan brings an exceptional and unique pedigree to Balreask Old, combining a distinguished international playing career with over two decades of proven coaching success across multiple sports and elite developmental pathways.
Originally from Pretoria, South Africa, Dan rose through the ranks to become a specialist scrum-half at the highest level of the game. His illustrious playing career includes:
● International Honours: Capped for the Springboks, captain of the Springbok A team, and a representative for the South Africa Barbarians.
● Professional Experience: A former standout half-back in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup with the Bulls, Stormers, and Mpumalanga.
● European Stints: Significant experience in the English Premiership with Bristol and deep roots in the All-Ireland League (AIL) as a player with both Clontarf and County Carlow in Division 1.
Commenting on his appointment, Dan Van Zyl said: “I am really excited to be joining Navan RFC and to be coaching in the AIL again. I have gained a lot of experience and achieved success both coaching and playing in the AIL. Navan is a club I have always wanted to be involved with, as it has great mini, youth, and U20s sections. In addition, the women’s game in Navan is going from strength to strength. The club has great tradition, facilities, and people. I hope to build on everything the club has achieved to date and to bring further success to Navan.”
Beyond rugby, Dan is a rare dual-sport professional, having played first-class cricket in South Africa. He currently captains the Ireland Over-50s Cricket Team and is a former South African representative in Judo. Since moving to Ireland, Dan has established himself as one of the most respected figures in coaching and player development. His coaching resume includes:
● National & Provincial Leadership: Former Leinster Coach Development Officer and coach to the Ireland U18 Boys Youths, Ireland Students, and the Leinster Women’s senior team.
● AIL Success: A serial winner at the club level, Dan led County Carlow to two Leinster Senior Cups and has secured league promotions with Old Wesley, Naas, Dundalk, and
Wicklow.
● Elite Development: As the co-founder and Director of Rugby at Rugby Academy Ireland, he remains at the cutting edge of developing the next generation of professional talent. Dan is already a well-known figure to many Navan players, having mentored them through the Leinster Rugby interprovincial pathways, where he built a formidable reputation for instilling a winning mindset. Dan’s coaching philosophy aligns seamlessly with Navan RFC’s long-term vision: to consistently aspire to the next competitive level while playing an effective, rewarding, and attractive style of rugby.
The Executive Committee and the entire club wish Dan every success in his new role at Balreask Old. We invite all members, supporters, and players to join us in welcoming Dan to Navan RFC! For the latest updates on training schedules and team news, stay tuned to www.navanrugby.com.
