Cardiff Rugby have continued to invest in the future by securing rising star Steff Emanuel to a new long-term contract. 

The Cardiff pathway product returned to the Arms Park in 2024, having taken up a scholarship at Millfield School, and instantly impressed. 

He has made six first team appearances to date but has been a stand out performer for Cardiff RFC and Wales Under-20s, whom he has co-captained in recent weeks. 

Corniel van Zyl is delighted to retain the talented 19-year-old’s services and is confident he has a big future in the game.

He said: “Steff is another exciting, homegrown player who has a huge amount of potential and an important role to play in our future at Cardiff. 

“It was great to see him make his senior debut for the club at such a young age, at the back end of last season. 

“He has continued to impress in the environment and was a standout player for Wales U20s in the Six Nations. 

“The challenge for Steff now is to continue improving his game and developing because I believe he has the potential to become a world class player.

“He is from a great family, is eager to learn and has good competition around him so I am really excited to see what the future holds.”

Emanuel is a product of Llantwit Fadre RFC and progressed right through the Blue & Blacks pathway before taking up his scholarship. 

He captained Millfield School XV and linked up with Bath Rugby during that time but returned across the border to sign his first professional contract following the completion of his studies. 

Emanuel said: “I’m really happy to re-sign with Cardiff. I have had some great opportunities over the past two years and I’m excited to push on. 

“I enjoy training and learning off the senior boys, who are great to be around and I look forward to coming into the Arms Park every day.

“Cardiff is also my home club so it is particularly special to me and my family. Hopefully I can earn more opportunities in both the URC and Europe in the coming years. 

“I just want to play as much as possible and I feel like this is the right place for me to do that and continue my development.”