Pro12 2016–17 season He fought his way back to fitness, playing 9 games, 466 minutes, starting 6 and scoring 2 tries for the season, making an immediate impact with his decisive running and excellent fielding under the high ball, scoring a try for Zebre against Benetton Rugby. He scored a second try in the Glasgow Warriors match, with teammate Kurt Baker scoring the second try in the match for Zebre. In a first-ever victory for Zebre over Connacht 25-22, he did superbly well in fielding a high kick with a try assist to centre Tommaso Boni who touched down in the left corner for Zebre. Van Zyl brilliantly saved a try against Zebre coming as cross cover in their match against Cardiff Blues in April 2017.