In a major coup for Welsh club Cardiff, head coach Matt Sherratt has added one of SA rugby’s experienced coaching exports to his staff.

Highly-rated forwards coach Corniel van Zyl will link up with the Vodacom URC outfit ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The 45-year-old is currently assisting Ealing Trailfinders following the collapse of London Irish where he had held a similar role since 2021.

Prior to that, Van Zyl had spent more than five years with Free State Cheetahs, competing in Super Rugby and the then Pro14.

He hung up his boots in 2015, and quickly began coaching back with the Cheetahs, where he first started playing professionally.

Incoming!

Former Italy international Corniel van Zyl will link up with the Blue and Blacks as forwards coach next season.

Croeso Corniel. #YmlaenCaerdydd.

➡️https://t.co/7THHnvBLoA pic.twitter.com/OUBfRldE7C

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) February 22, 2024

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Now with almost a decade’s coaching experience under his belt, the former lock is looking forward to beginning a new chapter in the Welsh capital.

“I’m really excited to link up with Cardiff next season and it’s something we as a family are really looking forward to,” Van Zyl told the club’s official website.

“Cardiff has such a rich history in the rugby world, so it’s great to have the chance to make a difference to the club.”

“It’s no secret that we need to bolster our backroom staff and Corniel is a top quality addition to our coaching group,” Sherratt said.

“He has an abundance of experience coaching in different hemispheres and competitions in terms of Super Rugby, Pro14 and the English Premiership.”