Corniel van Zyl was delighted to make it two from two in the BKT United Rugby Championship but knows there plenty remains to work on.

The Blue & Blacks never looked in doubt on their return to Cardiff Arms Park, running six tries against a spirited Zebre Parma. 

Teddy Williams, Javan Sebastian, Taine Basham and Alex Mann all crossed in a dominant first half performance to wrap up the bonus-point.

The free-scoring continued in the second-half with Tom Bowen adding a brace but Zebre fought back with a loose final quarter, which will give the Cardiff coaches plenty of concern, securing their own try-scoring bonus-point.

Van Zyl said: “There were about 15 minutes (in the second-half) where we stuck on task and we were very good at times. But obviously with the changes at the end, the anxiety of being in front and what happens next. 

“It’s definitely something to work on. In terms of detail, things like kick receipt, kick-off send, contestable kicks were not on the money and ultimately they scored twice off it. 

“So it’s stuff we can control but we take the win. We don’t normally have that kind of lead so it’s unfamiliar territory.”

While James Botham took the BKT Player of the Game award, making an impressive 31 tackles, the whole back-row was imperious. 

Van Zyl said: “I thought the back rows played well. Obviously they put a lot of work in, like Alex Mann, Jim and Bash in the beginning and then Ev Lloyd, also good to add to his strength in terms of ball carrying. They really push each other.”

The victory took Cardiff to the top of the URC table but it is of course early days and next up is a trip to face reigning champions Leinster in the first game at their newly redeveloped RDS.

Van Zyl added: “We all know they’re a mega club, have very, very good players, good system and good coaches. So it will be a nice challenge for us. 

“Hopefully we’ll have a few players back, who missed out today. We have eight days this time around, so more time to prep and obviously more time to recover.”