The Arms Park side are in a ‘decent place’ to strengthen their squad despite ongoing uncertainty in Welsh rugby
Cardiff say they are ready to look outside to strengthen their squad, following links to Namibian centre Le Roux Malan.
Reports in South Africa suggest the Arms Park could be the next location for the 27-year-old, who is currently with the Sharks. Malan has played eight times for the South African side this season – having been signed last summer to boost their midfield depth following the departure of Springbok Lukhanyo Am.
The suggestion is Malan, who played in the 2023 World Cup, will join the Blue and Blacks for next season – with the club a little short on midfield cover.
However, new head coach Corniel van Zyl refused to be moved on this latest piece of speculation.
“Those are probably still rumours at the moment,” he said ahead of this week’s crucial Welsh derby against the Ospreys.
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But, with Cardiff already in line to sign former Australia loosehead Scott Sio for next season, van Zyl admitted that the club are in a strong position to bring in talent – having already moved to keep hold of a number of their stars.
The likes of Alex Mann, Josh Adams and James Botham have all signed new deals with the club.
“In terms of retention, I think we’re in a really good space,” he added. “We’re in a point where we can look outside, look to recruit more than retaining.
“I think we’re in a decent space.”
Wales legend Taulupe Faletau is one player who has not signed a new deal at the club, with it looking unlikely he will remain at the Arms Park next season.
The No. 8 is out for the rest of the season, following a “significant” shoulder injury against the Sharks in South Africa.
Elsewhere, Cardiff’s second-row crisis has eased a little – after both Josh McNally and George Nott started in the boiler room against the Scarlets last Saturday.
Backline cover is a little short, with Ben Thomas seemingly in line to play outside centre once again as Steffan Emanuel and Harri Millard continue to recover from injuries.
Wing Adams, who could also play centre if required, is another currently working back to full fitness following a knock in training last week.
“Josh and Steff ran into each other last week,” said van Zyl. “So they had to withdraw from the game.
“They’re both following their return to play protocol. We’re still just checking them out to know where they are.
“Harri picked up an injury in training a few weeks ago. He’s getting closer to coming back.”
Out wide, Cardiff will be without Mason Grady after he fractured his thumb, with the impact on his Wales chances this summer still unclear.
“The thumb wasn’t great,” said van Zyl. “He’s obviously fractured it.
“That’s not great at the moment. But we’ll assess it and make sure we know what the next step is (but it’s fair to say he’s out for a little while).”
However, Tom Bowen is available – having not played for Cardiff since February – while the versatile Jacob Beetham has become a mainstay on the wing in the latter part of the season.
“Tom was not involved last week,” added the Cardiff coach. “I suppose it was not easy for him to be involved with the 6-2 split, which is probably pushing him back out instead of in.
“But he’s fit and in the mix.”
On Beetham, he added: “I’m guessing wing is almost winning that position race at the minute. I think he’s played there most now.
“He’s played 12, 13 and full-back as well. We’re trying to manage this squad as best as we can. He’s playing wing more consistently now but he’s available in all other positions.”
Cardiff’s crucial derby against the Ospreys could prove vital for their play-off hopes.
But it also comes just days after the latest deadline for the Ospreys’ owners Y11 to buy Cardiff. Wednesday is the deadline for that, with the deal seemingly in doubt as uncertainty continues to hang over Welsh rugby.
However, van Zyl praised his playing group for how they have dealt with the off-field politics while chasing a place in the top eight.
“We normally discuss as a group and the players are very organised in terms of getting communication between them,” he said.
“If you don’t discuss it in a group, it hardly ever happens individually, like major concerns in terms of players speaking to coaches.
“It is more between the players in the group that they discuss stuff like that and the WRPA also inform the players well, and the club as well from their side whatever they know.
“So between those channels we get what we need to know.
“The uncertainty has not gone away but it’s definitely almost something we got used to, so we just crack on.”
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