Cardiff's South African influence to haunt Sharks?
INTERVIEW: Cardiff’s South African influence could play a deciding role in their Round Four United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks at the Arms Park on Friday evening.
The Sharks head into Friday night’s URC clash against Cardiff as the last South African team to have tasted victory at the Arms Park.
The Sharks defeated Cardiff at the Arms Park in January 2025 but have suffered two home defeats to the same opposition: 0-35 in 2022 and 14-36 in 2024.
Since those results, many things changed off the field. Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl was appointed to his current role in April 2026 and steered the Welsh outfit to a URC quarterfinal berth, to which they fell short against the Stormers away from home.
The Sharks, in similar fashion, appointed JP Pietersen as head coach in February 2026 following a stint as interim mentor after John Plumtree’s exit.
Now in a new era for both South African coaches, where they have a team for an entire campaign for the first time, both parties will be desperate to go as deep in the tournament as possible, something Pietersen is very wary of.
Pietersen spoke about Cardiff’s strengths under Van Zyl’s mentorship and what influence one of their former players might have against his former team.
“Corniel [van Zyl] is a very good coach; it’s evident judging by their results last season where they made the top eight [play-offs],” Pietersen said.
“They have a very good home record; if I’m not mistaken, they’ve only lost one match at home last season.
“Then there’s also Le Roux Malan obviously was with us at the Sharks last season, so he knows the ins and outs about the players.
“He will definitely share with the Cardiff side what he can about the Sharks, and he will definitely bring it to us.
“When you play against your mates you tend to go extra hard, so we know that will be a good battle. He’s a good player and knows a few things, but we’re excited for this battle.”
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Van Zyl made 11 changes from the side that lost 12-28 to Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup last weekend, and according to Pietersen, it’s a clear indication of the message Cardiff is sending to the Sharks.
“It’s obvious that Corniel is quite serious about the game with the 11 changes made from their last outing.
“And being a home game for them, it’s a must-win in this tournament, and obviously we understand how difficult it is to win away from home.
“Players like [former Wallabies prop] Scott Sio is back after being out injured for some time.
“They also have Callum Sheedy on the bench for when the game gets loose to come on to control and dictate matters, whatever is required from him depending on the game situation.
“Then there’s Johan Mulder at No.9, who is a very good scrumhalf we know from his time at Griquas with Le Roux Malan in midfield who, as I mentioned, knows us well.”
Pietersen elaborated on a particular area his side must be on red alert for.
“Overall it’s a good Cardiff team; they’re strong at set-piece, especially at line-outs where they’re able to score off it; they’re very good with line-out details and attack off it.
“We need to be awake and at our best defensively at the line-outs because they have a couple of trick moves too.
“The set piece overall will be a challenge for us overall as well as the kicking game.”
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