Corniel van Zyl has reflected on an “unbelievable” night in the capital as Cardiff Rugby upset the odds to book their place in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The Blue & Blacks needed to win to guarantee their place in the last eight without relying on other results and were shorn of several front-line players.

Star-studded Stormers arrived near full-strength and targeting top spot but after a nervy opening 10 minutes, Cardiff were into everything, continually piling pressure on the visitors who had no time or space.

Cardiff scored four sensational tries to make it 10 wins from 11 at the Arms Park this season, and with Connacht winning in Edinburgh, the bonus-point was critical.

Van Zyl said: “It’s unbelievable for so many reasons. If you look at the individuals, Leigh, Halfpenny, massive. If you look at the team, the growth from last season to this season, massive.

“Firstly, at home we back ourselves. The second one, it was all backs against the wall, a big pressure game and Stormers are a great team. So for the boys to step up and give that performance was really pleasing.”

Stormers opened the scoring at the Arms Park and enjoyed plenty of opportunities thanks to a dominant scrum. 

However, Cardiff were tenacious to a man and showed much more cutting edge behind. Jacob Beetham bagged a brace to take his tally to five tries in five games having not previously crossed the whitewash, Tom Bowen spectacularly finished a sensational team effort and Ioan Lloyd somehow managed to stay in field for another.

But while the tries were all hugely impressive, the performance was typified by grit, determination and fight for the badge with back-row trio James Botham, Dan Thomas and BKT Player of the Game Taine Basham all stand out. 

Van Zyl said: “The boys defended well, they fought for the jersey. The set-piece was probably a bit of a concern, but the Stormers are really good at it. That’s definitely something we’ll have to polish off going into the playoffs.

“We had a plan for the kick-off, but it didn’t go our way. And then, unfortunately, they got their set piece into the game early, which was probably not planned, but you never know what goes in the game.

“But if you think about the try Tom Bowen scored in the corner… honestly, I think that’s one of our best of the season. Multi-phase and then getting to the edge, it was really pleasing.

“Then the second half of defence, like Mulder’s tackle, Dan Thomas’ turn over the ball, George Nott intercepting and nicking line-outs.

“I said to the boys after the game, hats off, that was a really good performance in terms of defence, attack, controlling the game. A tight game but we stayed on top.”

Cardiff are likely to face the Stormers again, this time in Cape Town, in the play-offs but will have to wait for the conclusion of Saturday’s fixtures for confirmation.

Van Zyl continued: “If you had offered me top eight at the start of the season, I would definitely have taken it, even eighth. Hopefully now we can push on and see how long this season can go. 

“We’ve secured Champions Cup rugby, we are in the play-offs and it’s knockout rugby.

“It doesn’t really matter who we get back because we back this squad and whoever is getting the jersey, it’s all about just going out there and giving it a good shot. 

“Afterwards, don’t look back and say you have regrets. Give it a good shot and then ultimately see what happens.”

Join us next season as we return to the European Champions Cup. Season Memberships are available now!