Johan Mulder admits Cardiff’s players are embracing the magnitude of the occasion as they prepare for a historic United Rugby Championship quarter-final clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Having already secured a play-off spot for the first time in the URC era, Cardiff now face one of the competition’s toughest assignments – a trip to DHL Stadium against a wounded Stormers side desperate to respond after defeat at the Arms Park earlier this month.

But rather than being overawed by the occasion, Mulder says belief within the squad has only strengthened after that victory in Cardiff.

“I think the biggest thing is belief because we’ve seen what we can produce and that we can put them under pressure by playing our game,” said the scrum-half.

“We don’t have to be anything we’re not. Everybody has to be the best version of themselves and work together and work as hard as we can.”

Mulder acknowledged the challenge awaiting Cardiff in Cape Town, particularly with the energy the home crowd can generate, but insisted the squad are embracing the atmosphere rather than fearing it.

“What I’ve heard, it’s going to be a big crowd and they’ll definitely feed off that,” he said.

“That’s what gives them energy. But I think we can feed off that as well. It’s going to be a great battle and we’re excited to go out there and see what we can do.”

As a South African himself, Mulder understands better than most why travelling teams have traditionally struggled in the country. Yet he believes Cardiff have already shown they can trouble elite opposition if they remain committed to the system.

“We really took a lot of confidence out of that game, knowing that if we stick together and stick to our plan and processes, we can put any team under pressure,” he added.

“As we showed throughout the whole season, if we’re all on the same page, we can be an incredible team on the day.”

The 26-year-old also spoke candidly about his own journey since arriving in Wales two years ago from the Griquas, admitting the move to Cardiff forced major changes in his game.

The South African conditions he was used to – dry pitches and “running rugby” – offered little preparation for the tactical demands of northern hemisphere rugby.

“I had to learn when to maybe slow the game down a bit,” Mulder explained.

“You get games where you play five games in a row that are wet and slow and windy, where the kicking game is massively important.

“That’s definitely an area I had to develop a lot more.”

“I feel I’ve grown a lot, but there’s still a lot more growing to do.”

Mulder also paid tribute to the environment Cardiff have created, crediting the close-knit nature of the squad as a major factor behind his decision to stay.

“I love the people and everybody’s friendly,” he said.

“We really have a good group of lads here. We get along really well and like each other’s company.”

With Callum Sheedy unavailable through injury, much of Cardiff’s creative responsibility could once again fall on the shoulders of Ioan Lloyd after his outstanding display against the Stormers at the Arms Park.

Mulder was full of praise for the fly-half’s attacking instincts and ability to produce moments of magic.

“I think Ioan must be one of the most skilful players I’ve played with,” he said.

“He can do something incredible any time.”

For Cardiff, simply reaching the knockout stages has already represented significant progress. But Mulder insists the squad have no intention of viewing this trip as a celebratory end point.

“Nobody just wants to make the quarter-finals and then be like, ‘This is it, this is good enough,’” he said.

“Nobody remembers who made the quarter-finals. Everybody remembers who wins it.

“If there’s no hunger to go further and win the competition, then we’re not in the right space.”