How Cardiff made the next step to URC play-offs

Cardiff have ensured they have extended their season by at least two weeks by reaching the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs.

It is something they have achieved for the first time since the current URC knockout stages were introduced in the 2021-22 season.

The reward is an immediate rematch with Stormers following Cardiff’s 22-16 success against the South African side in the final regular league match of the season at the Arms Park.

This time Cardiff will have to travel for the quarter-final fixture in Cape Town to face the South Africans in their own stadium on Saturday, 30 May (14:30 BST).

Finishing in the top eight was the ultimate goal at a time when Welsh rugby has been struggling on and off the field.

BBC Sport Wales looks at how Cardiff have managed to make the play-off leap after missing out by just one point in the 2024-25 campaign to Scarlets.

Cardiff are still owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) after being taken over by the governing body in April 2025 when the Arms Park outfit went into temporary administration.

The Blue and Blacks being saved by the WRU still bothers supporters from Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons, especially when the governing body outlined plans six months later to cut a professional side.

The ownership did not stop the WRU taking away Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt just a few days before the start of the season after he was appointed as Steve Tandy's new Wales attack coach.

Corniel van Zyl had been the forwards coach preparing for the new campaign, but was hastily promoted to lead the Cardiff staff.

The South African has galvanised the squad to 11 wins in 18 league games to finish in sixth place to set up the trip to play third-placed Stormers.

"If you look at the team, the growth from last season to this one, it is very pleasing," said Van Zyl.

"If you asked me in the beginning of season I would have definitely have taken a top-eight finish."

Cardiff have managed to make the Arms Park a fortress this season with 10 wins in 11 games in all competitions, with the only defeat in the league against Scarlets in December.

The home form has been pivotal with eight out of their 11 league wins achieved at the Arms Park.

This was supplemented by away success in Welsh derbies at Scarlets and Dragons and a solitary win outside Wales, against bottom side Zebre in Italy.

"We're lucky here with the unbelievable crowd which means we get good home support," said fly-half Ioan Lloyd.

"They really help us out especially when games get tight and things get tough."

Cardiff have also made a determined effort in recent seasons to engage with their fans after allowing them to come on the field after games and mingle with players.

A prime example was the interaction with retiring full-back Leigh Halfpenny following the Stormers success.

One fan commented on social media: “In the last three years of being a fan, I've felt the culture with Cardiff has gone from strength to strength.

“The players love playing for each other, the club's engagement with fans is fantastic and there is a family friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.”

Cardiff have the biggest contingent in Tandy's latest Wales 48-strong squad for the summer games with 12 players provided from the Blue and Blacks.

But those names do include some of Cardiff's star performers this season, with a number of unsung heroes needing to be recognised.

Van Zyl has knitted together a squad allied with his own characteristics. No thrills, no nonsense and gritty.

Back-row trio Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence and Taine Basham have excelled and provide different qualities.

Thomas, arguably Cardiff‘s player of the season, has been a breakdown turnover machine and tackle demon, nearing the top the URC charts in both facets.

Thomas has been vying in the tackles made section with Lawrence, who has also featured at the summit of the league carries section.

Since joining from Dragons, Basham has improved throughout the campaign and produced a towering player-of-the-match performance against Stormers.

Lock Rory Thornton has had his influential season, while Jacob Beetham has converted to wing and must wonder why he had been ignored by Wales.

Fly-halves Callum Sheedy and Lloyd have provided effective contributions in different ways, while Wales Under-20s wing Tom Bowen has delivered some of the champagne moments with spectacular try-scoring finishes.

Cardiff have also benefitted from the non-Welsh influences.

Ex-England lock Josh McNally has impressed with his power and durability after being involved in 17 league games before missing the final game against Stormers because of his Royal Air Force (RAF) playing commitments.

South African scrum-half Johan Mulder has proved why some fans hope he will qualify for Wales on residency, while Scotland prop Javan Sebastian has become an unlikely source of important tries.

These individuals, and others like George Nott and Danny Southworth, form the core and heart of the Cardiff squad. Few star names, but effective nonetheless.

"It's all about the squad and when they come in, they step up to the occasion," said Van Zyl.

"Whatever team we put out, whoever is getting the jersey, it doesn't matter because we back the squad."

Cardiff have provided memorable offensive moments during the season with Wales wing Josh Adams topping their league try list with seven.

The four tries scored against Stormers was indicative of the attacking adventure.

With Sherratt's departure, Jonny Goodridge has taken charge of this department and the Bowen try in the first half against the South African side would have left him purring.

There was an intricate build-up with midfield lynchpin Ben Thomas creating the space for Bowen to spectacularly dive over in the corner.

That attacking intent is complemented by the Cardiff defence.

Alongside the individual efforts of the likes of Thomas and Lawrence, the structure has been orchestrated by Gethin Jenkins, with his former Wales front-row colleague Scott Baldwin summing up his importance.

"People will talk about Cardiff's attack, but their DNA is the Gethin Jenkins defence,” said Baldwin.

"On average in the URC this season they concede 20 points a game which is impressive."

Those sentiments were written on social media during the victory against Stormers, while Baldwin and the rest of the watching public were witnessing a Cardiff defensive masterclass of technical organisation and desire.

Cardiff might well have achieved their goal and you could sense the elation at the Arms Park on Friday of achieving a small bit of history with the play-off place.

Winning the title will prove a different proposition with the trip to South Africa proving an expensive logistical, financial and playing challenge.

Van Zyl is not content just yet.

"We are delighted to reach the play-offs, but there's the next job to do, so we will hopefully push on and see how long this season can go," he said.

“Knockout rugby is the ultimate thing, anything can happen."

Most will still expect Cardiff's season to end in Cape Town at the end of May with Stormers gaining immediate revenge.

But writing this Blue and Blacks squad off has so far proved dangerous this season.