New Headline: Cardiff Manager Van Zyl Leads Team on Bright Future Path

Corniel van Zyl won eight caps for Italy [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Corniel van Zyl has had "positive conversations" over his Cardiff future after missing out on the top job at United Rugby Championship (URC) rivals Benetton. The South African has been in charge at the Arms Park in 2025-26 after Matt Sherratt left on the eve of the season to become an assistant with Wales. Van Zyl admitted last month that he held preliminary talks with Benetton , where he played for eight seasons, about becoming their head coach.

The Italian side have since appointed former Wales boss Wayne Pivac , while Van Zyl has held discussions about his Arms Park role. "I have had positive conversations with Cardiff and we will hopefully be able to say a little bit more in the near future," said the former lock, who is under contract for another season. "I still have my forwards coach role in place, it's just whether it changes to a different role.

" Crunch WRU EGM vote to be held in April Dragons sign Tonga wing Tuitavuki Who were Wales' leading lights in rollercoaster Six Nations? Van Zyl has also been shaping Cardiff's squad for next season and they have been linked with a move for Wales and Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans. The playmaker, who came off the bench in every Six Nations game apart from the opener against England, left the Arms Park in 2023.

Recruitment is not helped by uncertainty in Welsh professional rugby but Van Zyl believes the Blue and Blacks are in good shape. "We focused more on retention and trying to keep the players we have in the set-up, and it's really positive," he said. "To look outside of Wales at Welsh-qualified players, it does become a little more tricky but we have a process to follow and we are starting to look.