
Return of Gideon van Wyk Gives SaberCats a ‘boost’
‘I was hungry to play,” SaberCats flanker scores hat trick in first game back
By Aaron Wilson
Gideon van Wyk bided his time, contemplating exactly how he would react once he was eligible to rejoin his teammates on the field.
And the SaberCats’ imposing flanker definitely made up for lost time during a match against the Utah Warriors.
van Wyk hadn’t lost his sense of timing or aggressiveness after serving a three-game Major League Rugby imposed suspension for a heading violation.
van Wyk scored a hat trick with three tries notched during the loss to Utah.
“I was hungry to play,” van Wyk said. “It’s tough to be out of the system. You train every day with your teammates and I was just hungry to play. All credit to the team. It’s a team sport. Luckily, I was at the right time at the right moments. I couldn’t do it without my teammates.”
At 6-foot-3, 233 pounds, the South Africa native has athleticism and size working in his favor.
“He’s a really, really good player,” Axel Zapata said. “He’s young. He has huge energy.”
When van Wyk was out, he did what he could to not accumulate rust. By staying sharp and remaining mentally focused, he was able to get back on the field and make an impact for the fourth-place SaberCats as they fight for a playoff berth.
Rules are rules, so van Wyk had to sit out.
“Unfortunately, I got a suspension,” he said. “It’s part of the game. I took that on the chin and I’m moving on. It was a head-on-head collision and I know Major League Rugby wants to improve on head injuries, that that away and decrease concussions.”
When the SaberCats acquired the Lichtenburg, South Africa native and re-signed him, it was with a purpose in mind.
“We picked him specifically for that role,” SaberCats director Heyneke Meyer said. “He’s a speedster. If guys make a mistake, he can capitalize. He has a lot of speed.”
Just 21 years old, van Wyk has a bright present and future. van Wyk played 534 minutes in 13 matches last season for the SaberCats with four starts. He scored five tries.
“Having him back was definitely a boost,” Emmanuel Albert said. “He’s a player that can go out there as an X-factor, get the ball in his hands and make something out of nothing.”
Before joining Major League Rugby, van Wyk previously played for the University of Free State, playing for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Premier Division and played for the Toyota Cheetahs. He previously represented the South Africa Under-18s and the South Africa School after attending Menlo Park and Paarl Boys High Schools.
“I would say there’s always a place for improvement,” van Wyk said. “I focused this week on running with the ball and attacking. I need to improve my defense. I’m always up for improvement.”
Photos by BigShots SnapShots
Recent Posts
“I am excited to get to work, get down to Houston, and make it home.”
MEET THE 2023 MLR DRAFT’S SECOND OVERALL PICK, MAX SCHUMACHER WRITTEN BY
MAX SCHUMACHER | NO. 2 OVERALL PICK
"I see immediate impact because he takes to the line. He's able
Coaches Clinic 2023
Attention all Houston Rugby Coaches! Come take part in our first SaberCats
SaberCats Draft Selections 2023
The Houston SaberCats have selected Max Schumacher (Fly-Half), Orrin Bizer (Flanker), and
Learn Rugby from the Houston SaberCats: 2023
Are you a P.E. Teacher and interested in your students learning about
News Tags
Archives
- August 2023 (7)
- July 2023 (3)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (19)
- April 2023 (26)
- March 2023 (16)
- February 2023 (19)
- January 2023 (9)
- December 2022 (1)
- November 2022 (1)
- August 2022 (1)
- July 2022 (3)
- June 2022 (3)
- May 2022 (15)
- April 2022 (17)
- March 2022 (13)
- February 2022 (16)
- January 2022 (3)
- December 2021 (3)
- November 2021 (2)
- October 2021 (2)
- September 2021 (2)
- August 2021 (4)
- July 2021 (7)
- June 2021 (9)
- May 2021 (11)
- April 2021 (11)
- March 2021 (10)
- February 2021 (3)
- November 2020 (3)
- October 2020 (1)
- September 2020 (2)
- August 2020 (2)
- July 2020 (2)
- May 2020 (1)
- March 2020 (8)
- February 2020 (14)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (4)
- November 2019 (1)
- October 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (3)
- July 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (3)
- May 2019 (12)
- April 2019 (9)
- March 2019 (10)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (9)
- December 2018 (1)
- November 2018 (2)
- August 2018 (2)
- July 2018 (5)
- June 2018 (4)
- May 2018 (5)
- April 2018 (19)
- March 2018 (9)
- February 2018 (14)
- January 2018 (16)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (3)
- October 2017 (1)