Gideon Brand van Zyl, PC (Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈbrænt fan ˈzɛil]; 3 June 1873 – 1 November 1956[1]) was Governor-General of the Union of South Africa from 1945 to 1950.

Born in Cape Town, he was the son of a prominent attorney, and he joined the family firm after qualifying at the University of Cape Town.

In World War I (1914–1918), he was Deputy Director of War Recruiting, and served in the Cape Peninsula Garrison Regiment (a home defence unit).

Van Zyl entered politics in 1915, as a member of the Unionist Party.

In 1947, he hosted King George VI and the British Royal Family when they toured South Africa.