Head coach Matt Sherratt says Friday’s game against DHL Stormers is a must-win game if Cardiff are to reach the playoffs.
However, it’s a position the Blue and Blacks would have snatched your hand-off for at the beginning of the season.
Cardiff are currently in 9th place heading into Round 18 of the BKT United Rugby Championship with the top eight reaching the knockouts.
Although they can progress with bonus points if results go their way, Sherratt and his men are targeting the win to guarantee a playoff spot.
“We spoke pre Connacht about what we were going to need to guarantee the playoffs and we actually called it a fight for 50,” said Sherratt.
“That’s about what was needed for a top eight finish over the last three or four seasons and we probably knew we were going to have to win on the road.
“At the start of the year we were saying that if we were in round 18 and we had a game to get in the play-off, we would snatch your hand-off.
“It’s must-win game in terms of getting in that top eight.”
The Blue and Blacks face Stormers after the defeat to Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Sherratt believes that due to certain factors it’s the toughest fixture of the season, but Cardiff will be better prepared for this weekend against the Cape Town based outfit.
“We arrived last Wednesday, and I do genuinely think the Bulls is the toughest away game in the league.
“Especially when you’ve got them first, because you’ve still got a bit of disruptive preparation in terms of a 24-hour trip, we had Wednesday off, trained on Thursday and then you add altitude and heat.
“It was actually quite a heavy pitch as well, and it probably took us 40 minutes to get up to speed and by then against a good Bulls team it was too late.
“We’ve got a better prep for this week and obviously being at sea level is an advantage as well.
Regardless of whether Cardiff make the playoffs or not, Sherratt says it’s a season his side can be proud of, and that the club is going in the right direction on the pitch.
“I think it’d be brilliant if Cardiff reach the playoffs. I don’t think Cardiff have ever been in the playoffs before and for the club with the history and the potential, we should be getting into the top eight.
“I’m pretty proud of the staff and the players this year.
“Our budget actually decreased this year from last year, so to get the improvements we have, where we’ve doubled the amount of games we’ve won, got the most bonus point tries we’ve ever scored, turned a lot of those tight losses into tight wins, it would be the icing on the cake to push into the top eight.
“Let’s be honest, it’s going to be a tough ask because results went against us at the weekend really, but we spoke to the players around not trying to creep in, let’s win a game and get in there rather than hope that other teams didn’t get what they needed.
The Stormers have hit good form in recent weeks, and in 5th place are in a strong position to make the playoffs
Sherratt sees them as a typical South African side, with plenty of power and speed throughout the side, and the ability to score tries quickly once they get momentum.
“They’re a good team, in good form as well. I think they’re one of the form teams in the competition,” added Sherratt.
“Like all the South African teams, they’ve got that balance between power and pace and their backs are very, very dangerous.
“They look like a momentum team in terms of once offloads start sticking and they score, they’ll score again.
“They’re a very confidence-based team, so a lot of this week will be us trying to make the game look like we want it rather than what they want.”