The Cardiff coach reckons squad strength was the key factor behind a statement European Challenge Cup victory over Racing 92, as the Blue & Blacks eventually moved into the knockout stages with a bonus-point 32-13 win at a packed Cardiff Arms Park.
After a demanding run of derby fixtures – that yielded just one win in three games - Van Zyl made eight changes to the side beaten by the Ospreys the previous week and was rewarded with an energetic second-half display that overwhelmed their French opponents.
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Cardiff trailed at the break despite tries from Tom Bowen and Rory Thornton, but a dominant final 40 minutes, underpinned by fresh legs and impact from the bench, turned the contest decisively in the hosts’ favour.
“I’m very happy. After the derbies it just felt like we were a little bit cramped in with a little bit of pressure, whereas tonight it just felt like the boys went out to play and enjoyed it,” said Van Zyl.
“We focused on the stuff that made us play well at the beginning of the season. After the derbies, we went back and said, ‘Look, let’s just focus on what made us play well.’
“That’s easier to do against a French team you don’t really know. So we focused on what we do and tried to put it on the field.”
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The head coach was particularly keen to highlight how changes across the matchday 23 allowed Cardiff to raise the tempo after the interval, with prop Keiron Assiratti and fly-half Callum Sheedy playing central roles as Racing faded.
“The impact of the bench was really positive. We freshened it up.
“The derbies was almost the same group for a few games, which I said the other day. But we need to use the squad.
“We can’t just keep playing the same players. That’s why we have a squad. They performed well.”
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The result left Cardiff waiting for confirmation of qualification for the last 16, with Ulster’s postponed fixture against the Toyota Cheetahs delaying matters.
That match was later cancelled by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) with visitors Ulster being awarded a 28-0 victory - enough to confirm Cardiff's progress.
Attention now turns to the final pool game away to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, 18 January, before a quick turnaround for a crucial United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton.
Van Zyl stressed that continued rotation will be vital as the fixtures continue to stack up.
“There are still a few games to happen tomorrow. We’ll take (Exeter) as a challenge. It will be a challenge because we know how good they’ve been this season.
“We’ll refocus on Monday and Tuesday because we play Sunday, and then see what happens on the day.
“We’ll have to get the selection right to make sure we keep the boys fresh then with Benetton, which will be short turnaround from Sunday to Saturday.
“We can look at all the ways the log might end up, but it’s just a game of rugby. We need to go out, perform, and see what happens at the end of the day.”
The match itself began at frantic pace, with Racing wing Selestino Ravutaumada shown a yellow card straight from the kick-off for a dangerous tackle on Alun Lawrence.
Cardiff made the extra man count when Bowen finished expertly from a pinpoint Sheedy chip, but Racing responded through Ravutaumada and Geronimo Prisciantelli to edge ahead.
Despite some defensive lapses, Cardiff stayed in touch thanks to Thornton’s close-range score, created by Jacob Beetham’s outstanding 50:22 kick, leaving the hosts just a point adrift at half-time.
The momentum swung decisively after the break. Cardiff’s first sustained attack of the second half ended with Assiratti crashing over for only his second try for the club, before Sheedy added two penalties to stretch the lead.
Man-of-the-match Ben Thomas then combined with Cornel Smit to seal the all-important fourth try late on, as Cardiff eased clear.
