URC: Cornel van Zyl has held positive talks with Cardiff after missing the Benetton job

Van Zyl’s bid for the top job is supported by fifth-placed Cardiff being in a strong position to qualify for the URC play-offs.

The team is one point behind the Stormers, who are in second place, and 10 points ahead of Connacht, who is in ninth place, but will face two difficult matches in South Africa.

They face Cardiff Bulls in Pretoria on Friday (17:00 GMT) and then Sharks in Durban seven days later, and have traveled with six of Wales’ eight-man squad.

Only winger Alex Mann and winger Josh Adams, who started all five matches in the Six Nations, remain at home and will not be called up unless there are injury issues.

James Botham traveled after making his early debut against Scotland and then starting against Ireland and Italy.

Only center Ben Thomas started in the first round against England, hooker Liam Belcher came off the bench at Twickenham and winger Mason Grady came on against the English and French.

Wales released the trio for action in the Six Nations rest week, when they started against Leinster.

Tight props Keiron Assiratti and Sam Wainwright did not play in the tournament.