Cricket Namibia is pleased to announce the appointment of a sport scientist Christo Van Zyl. Christo has a strong background, having worked with big clubs in and around south Africa. He has a solid background in sport performance and a passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals.
Following the completion of his honors degree, he embarked on an intensive internship at Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg. This experience was both challenging and rewarding for him, as he worked closely with the 1st and 2nd teams across the school’s six premier sports: Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Basketball, Water Polo, and Athletics. Simultaneously, he pursued his master’s degree in Sport Science at the University of Pretoria, deepening his academic foundation while gaining hands-on experience with talented young athletes.
Christo explains that “a passion for sports and a sharp eye for detail are invaluable traits when it comes to developing high-performing athletes”. These qualities have driven his journey through the world of sports, science and physical performance, shaping his career and enabling him to contribute meaningfully to the success of athletes and teams on national and international stages.
In 2022, Christo returned to Pretoria to take up a position at the Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI), where he was appointed Head of Physical Performance for the TUKS Hockey program. One of the most remarkable highlights during his time at SEMLI was leading both the men’s and women’s hockey teams to Varsity Cup gold in 2022, an achievement that highlighted the impact of dedicated, science-driven performance training.
Beyond hockey, his role at SEMLI expanded to include physiological testing, where he was responsible for conducting VO₂max and blood lactate assessments. This experience led him to specialize further in performance testing within the Sport Science Unit, where he had the opportunity to lead testing protocols for several high-performance teams. Notable among these were South Africa’s national rowing and cricket teams (both men’s and women’s, senior and academy squads), India’s national race-walking team, and leading PSL football clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In 2023, Christo was pleased to assist the South African men’s hockey team on their Road to Paris campaign. Their collaboration concluded in a gold medal at the AFCON tournament, securing their qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics—a proud milestone in their journey and a deeply fulfilling moment in his.
As Christo continues to grow within this field, his focus remains on integrating evidence-based practice with athlete-centered care. His goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of physical performance, ensuring our athletes are not only prepared to compete with the best but are capable of consistently outperforming them.
“I believe Christo’s expertise and experience will greatly benefit our systems at Cricket Namibia and add tremendous value to the quality of services we provide at the HB Hub,” said Evert Laubscher -The Biokinetics & Gym Manager.