Cardiff captain Liam Belcher has reflected on a difficult evening following his side’s 40–7 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls.

With conditions at altitude and opposition both testing, Cardiff knew points would be hard to come by on the road.

And that proved the case, as the result marked the first time this season they have come away from a United Rugby Championship fixture without at very least a bonus point.

Looking back on the performance, a disappointed Belcher pointed to a promising opening that ultimately gave way under pressure due to inaccuracy and indiscipline.

“It’s a tough one. For the first 10–15, I thought we were good, obviously getting that interception for the try.

“But then discipline hurt us and then the Bulls had the momentum and scored with their driving maul twice. It was hard.

“We lost the transition game with a few bouncing balls and them breaking away. The bounce of the ball and they were straight on the scraps and we’re usually good at that. It’s going to be the same next week against the Sharks so tonight was a blueprint.

“In the last game we gave away three penalties against Leinster, so it’s not something we’ve had all year. But credit to them — pressure causes indiscipline when you’re on the back foot.”

Despite the setback, Cardiff remain firmly in the play-off picture. They hold fifth place in the table for now, though pressure is building, with Munster Rugby just a point behind before their match against the Sharks tomorrow.