Ivan Van Zyl hopes English rugby has two more chances to realise just how good Owen Farrell truly is, before the Saracens talisman heads to France.
Van Zyl will partner captain Farrell in the half-backs in Friday night’s Premiership semi-final against Northampton.
Farrell will end his glittering 16-year stint at defending champions Saracens this summer, when he makes the switch to Racing 92.
Lose at Franklin’s Gardens, and Farrell and brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola will all have played their last Saracens match. Win, and that departing England trio will have a chance to sign off in style with another Premiership final.
South Africa scrum-half Van Zyl says the extent of Farrell’s greatness still eludes many observers, despite the 112-cap England star’s long and fruitful career.
“Owen’s world-class, I don’t understand how people don’t see it,” Van Zyl told Standard Sport.
“The best thing about Owen that people don’t see is that he makes everyone else around him better.
“He’s unselfish and he does things on the pitch that get the best out of his team-mates.
“He’ll be such a huge loss for us, of course, but he deserves all the best possible things for now and the future.”
Farrell, 32, has had a hand in all six of Saracens’ Premiership titles, their three European triumphs and this season passed 250 matches for them.
Sarries must defend their Premiership crown the hard way, though, travelling to face regular-season table-toppers Saints.
Van Zyl won his six South Africa caps as a raw 22-year-old. Now 28, and having been out of the Test picture for six years, he feels he would be ready for another international shot.
And backing up his praise in Saracens stalwart Farrell, Van Zyl has revealed the former England captain’s crucial role in his progress.
“Training with Faz for three years, being here, the amount I’ve grown and developed my game has been incredible, and he’s played a massive part in that for me,” said Van Zyl.
“Looking back now, when I did play for the Springboks, I definitely wasn’t good enough to be there — honestly.
“It was an incredible opportunity, a dream, and one I would love to have again. I wasn’t ready then, but I do think I am now, and that I could add to that team. I think I am playing the best rugby of my career now.”
Saracens must shake off the uncharacteristic inconsistency that led to a fourth-place regular-season finish and finally deliver their best in order to topple Northampton.
Van Zyl insists a combination of the muscle-memory of winning on the biggest stages and Saracens’ famed camaraderie can see them across the line.
Training with Faz for three years, being here, the amount I’ve grown and developed my game has been incredible
The Vunipolas will both join Montpellier this summer, leaving as big a hole as Farrell, and Saracens are determined to pay one last tribute to their long-standing team-mates.
“If we get everything right, then good luck beating us,” said Van Zyl. “But then we do have to get everything right, because [Northampton] have beaten us twice and can easily do so again.
“If people can see from outside how close-knit this club is, then imagine what it’s like being part of it.
“We can’t say we’re directly doing it for Owen, Billy and Mako, but then at the same time we can’t say we’re not doing it for them.”
