Pieter van Zyl was born in Cape Town in 1989. He matriculated from Durbanville High School in 2007 and commenced his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2008. He graduated with a BCom degree in 2010 and an LLB in 2012.

After completing Practical Legal Training with the Law Society in 2013, Pieter joined Bate Chubb & Dickson Inc. as a Candidate Attorney. He completed his articles and was simultaneously admitted as an attorney, notary and conveyancer in 2015.

Pieter is married to Kristie and they have two boys, Phillip and Lloyd. He is involved in local theatre and serves on the board for the Arts Theatre East London. He is also a member of the BNI (Business Networking International) Dynamos Chapter and serves on the board of McClelland Adult Centre.