Corniel van Zyl was disappointed with Cardiff’s 40-17 loss to Glasgow Warriors but has urged his side to bounce back in front of the Arms Park next week.
The Blue & Blacks were second best against a rampant Glasgow side, who surged back to the top of the BKT United Rugby Championship table following back-to-back defeats in South Africa.
Cardiff had their own opportunities but lacked the same ruthless accuracy that the hosts possessed and were unable to snatch a try-scoring bonus-point at the death.
While proud of his side’s fight, Van Zyl was disappointed to leave Scotland empty-handed with attention quickly turning to next Friday’s encounter with DHL Stormers.
He said: “It was disappointing. We obviously came here to do what we do normally, show fight, enjoy it and have a go. But we lost the ball a few times early on where we could have applied pressure.
“We felt like we had nice field position at beginning but the accuracy wasn’t there so they escaped from the pressure and then it becomes difficult.
“There’s a reason why they’re at the top of the log so you can definitely sense that and a different level of intensity but I’m proud of the way the boys stuck at it.
“It was almost touch and go at the end and that kick to the corner, we had the ball back and getting that fourth try would have been a bonus. It’s pleasing to see the boys just kept on going and trying to fight for the jersey.
“But ultimately we need to get over it as well because next week’s going to be another big week.”
With Ulster sharing a high-scoring draw with DHL Stormers, and Connacht facing Munster tomorrow (Saturday), the play-off race could go down to the wire.
Should Connacht lose and not pick up any match-points, Cardiff’s place in the play-offs would be secured.
But regardless of any other results, Van Zyl is determined to finish the season on a high in front of a home crowd at the Arms Park.
He added: “It is what it is now so it’s the last round, the last one at home so we’ll give it a good go and see where it takes us.
“It’s special to play at Arms Park and we’ll be looking forward. It’s going to be a good day out.”