Cardiff’s 40-7 loss to the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria not only dented their momentum but also marked a significant low point in their campaign — the first time they have failed to take anything from a league fixture this season.
“It’s the first time we didn’t pick up any points this season in a URC game, so that’s a first for us. It was challenging,” said van Zyl.
“It just feels like the pressure is building every game now with the run-in.”
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Those words reflected a growing tension as Cardiff, still firmly in the hunt for a play-off place, navigate a tightening race for the top eight.
They were not alone in slipping up, with fellow contenders Leinster, Munster and Ulster also suffering defeats over the weekend.
In contrast, the Scarlets delivered one of the standout performances from a Welsh perspective, powering to a 36-17 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma.
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Their six-try display showcased both attacking sharpness and control, offering encouragement ahead of a daunting trip to Dublin to face Leinster.
Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has already framed that encounter in uncompromising terms.
“We are looking at that game as an international,” said Davies.
“The boys deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing and deserve to enjoy this win, but we have told them we are going to play an international rugby game, so we need to get into that mindset.
“It is a huge challenge for us, but we have a capable bunch of players who can go there and put a big performance in and who knows?”
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Davies was equally pleased with how his side executed their plan against Zebre.
“I am really pleased for the boys.
“We were clinical, we were clear in terms of what we wanted to do and we delivered a performance out there.
“The first half was very pleasing. We planned not to give them any ins, our set piece was excellent, our scrum and line-out gave us a good platform to play off and we managed the game very well.”
Tighthead prop Archer Holz, who earned player-of-the-match honours, highlighted the importance of the pack’s dominance.
“We are really happy. To get a result at home really means a lot. We love playing here, we have got really good fans and to turn up for them was really good.”
On his own role, he added: “I just try to do my job. That’s being physical at collision and set piece.
“As a pack, I thought we worked really well which makes my life a hell of a lot easier.”
The Ospreys were unable to follow suit, slipping to a 31-19 defeat against Benetton in Treviso.
Despite flashes of quality — including the return of Jac Morgan — they could not quite match the hosts’ cutting edge.
Similarly, the Dragons showed determination but were beaten 29-21 by the Stormers in Cape Town, where a clinical home performance proved decisive.
Across the competition, the South African sides continued their surge, all four securing bonus-point victories to strengthen their positions as the play-off race intensifies.
At the top of the table, Glasgow Warriors underlined their credentials with a statement 38-17 victory over Leinster, running in six tries in an eye-catching display of attacking rugby.
Head coach Franco Smith said: “It’s the way we train and the way we try to develop the game.
“I think the game is going that way. If you look at the Six Nations, there were a lot of tries scored. It’s maybe what’s demanded of the game now.
“That is the ingredient that brings enthusiasm to club rugby as well.
“We were going to try and score as many tries as possible, but I didn’t think we would get to that many. I thought we played really well. I was really proud of the boys.”
Scrum-half George Horne echoed that attacking mindset.
“Franco is so good at keeping it simple for us,” he said.
“Usually, it’s be brave and move the ball. You saw that in the first half. We were moving Leinster around and they had to make 130 odd tackles, I think.”
“I couldn’t go a week without this place!” he added.
“Coming back to play Leinster makes it pretty special. They have been the best team in the league for a few years now.
“It was good. It makes Monday morning a lot easier when you come in after a win like that.”
For Cardiff, though, the focus remains on responding to a setback that has sharpened the sense of urgency.
With the run-in gathering pace, van Zyl’s assessment captures the reality facing not just his side, but all those chasing a place in the top eight — the margin for error is rapidly disappearing.
