Seeing Billy and Mako Vunipola battle their way back into Eddie Jones' good books has encouraged Ivan van Zyl to keep his own World Cup hope alive.
And the South African intends to “kick on” now that he feels very much at home in north London in a bid to prove to the Springboks he deserves a call up before France next year.
Van Zyl enjoyed his first season in the Premiership, helping Saracens reach a Twickenham final and finding out what is needed to thrive in his vastly different rugby surroundings.
However, the 27-year-old knows he must now prove to director of rugby Mark McCall he should jump ahead of Aled Davies and get that No.9 jersey on a regular basis.
Davies wore it in the two play-off games while Van Zyl was on the bench, but he claims: “Last season was about finding my feet but now I'm feeling very settled and love it here. I'm ready to really push on and cement my place in the team as someone who really adds value as a consistent performer.
“We all want to be part of those big games but you have to earn and deserve those chances. It's so important for me personally to start the season well and prolong my career at Sarries.
“You always have that little dream inside of you that you will be picked up again by the Springboks and be part of a World Cup squad next year. Billy and Mako (Vunipola), pictured below, were disappointed before when they were not selected by England but they forced their way back in by having such good seasons for Sarries and got their rewards.
“Billy was out- standing in Australia and it is going to be another massive year ahead for all of them leading up to World Cup. They know what they had to do to get back in the squad and can now build on that.”
Van Zyl insists the opening game of the new season cannot come quickly enough for both him and his team-mates, who are anxious to get back out onto the field to help erase the disappointment of falling at the last Twickenham hurdle to Leicester.
He admits it took a while to get over that 15-12 loss which denied Sarries a sixth Premiership title on their return to the top flight. But Van Zyl insists the team now only have eyes on the present and future whilst also warns Tigers they will now be hunted by every other team determined to topple the new champions.
He says: “It was painful for all of us, and every now and then you get reminded of what happened on the day. We just didn't execute it well and didn't throw the punches we wanted to. It came down to small margins but it says something about this team that we still came so close to winning it.
“But as soon as we all got back to the training ground it was about setting new goals and targets, and what we want to achieve this season. Now we just want to get on with it. We've moved on and will learn from it. In fact, it has made us even more hungry and motivated to perform and win it this time. We are now just focused on making sure we win the trophy this time.
“Leicester will believe they can do it again. They are technically good and they took their opportunities in that final. But now will see if they can back it up. They have lost a few boys but have also recruited some too.
There is going to be a added pressure on them now they are champions. It means everyone else will want to go after them. Teams always aim to see if they can beat the champions each year so Leicester will be in for it this time.”
