Cardiff Rugby are heading to the URC playoffs for the first time after a gritty 22-16 victory over the Stormers – and hometown fly-half Ioan Lloyd was at the heart of it all.

Pulling on the No.10 shirt following Callum Sheedy’s injury against Glasgow Warriors last weekend, Lloyd delivered an electric display in what was arguably Cardiff’s biggest match in years.

Having featured across the backline throughout the campaign since arriving at the Arms Park at the start of the season, the Cardiff-born playmaker produced one of his finest performances in blue and black when it mattered most – scoring a brilliant try and steering his side to a famous result over the Cape Town outfit.

The victory means Cardiff’s playoff place is now secured regardless of results elsewhere this weekend, something Lloyd admitted was a huge relief after a long and demanding campaign.

“It takes a bit of pressure off,” said Lloyd. “If we’d lost, it would’ve been other results dependent, so to keep it in our own hands was definitely the aim.

“To get it done was an amazing feeling. After a long season, to get something out of that and go through is class.”

Throughout the season, Cardiff have spoken repeatedly about wanting to compete in the “big games”, and Lloyd said qualification for the knockout stages was proof that the squad’s hard work had paid off.

The Blue & Blacks  knew before kick-off that a four-try bonus point could prove crucial in a tight playoff race, and they approached the game with an aggressive mindset from the outset.

“Playing the games you want to play is exactly what we’ve talked about all year,” he explained. “So to actually see something come from that is great.

“We spoke about being aggressive with our attack and really taking the game to them,” he said.

“We knew that four tries would really help us out with that bonus point, so to be able to convert and get that on the field was great.”

While Lloyd’s attacking spark grabbed the headlines, Cardiff’s defensive effort against one of the URC’s most dangerous attacking sides was equally impressive, with the Stormers restricted to a single try.

“Against the South African sides especially, or any good sides, you’ve got to be physical and solid defensively,” said Lloyd.

“That was a big focus this week. To keep them to one try was great.”

Lloyd’s try itself was one of the standout moments of the evening, with the fly-half somehow staying infield before diving over in the corner – although the man himself played down the finish.

“It was probably just a bit of luck honestly,” he laughed. “But I was definitely happy when I saw the replay.”

The achievement carries even more significance for Lloyd given his connection to the club, with the Glantaf product now helping guide his hometown side into uncharted territory in the URC era.

Cardiff’s success has been built around a formidable record at the Arms Park, where they have lost just once all season, turning their home ground into one of the league’s toughest venues to visit.

“To go to a URC playoff for the first time with my home club is pretty class.

“We’ve put a big focus on making the Arms Park our fortress. To finish the regular season with that home record has really helped us out.

“The crowd here is unbelievable and they really help us out when games get tight. But wherever we go, we back ourselves against anyone.”