Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff have had a terrific season but could not repeat their Arms Park heroics in Cape Town.

As was feared, Stormers just had too much grunt up front against a Blue and Blacks side that was missing the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Mason Grady and Callum Sheedy.

They stayed in the fight but a whopping penalty count from referee Eoghan Cross killed them.

The official URC tally was 14 penalties against Cardiff but it felt more than that, with a costly second yellow card meaning they had a spell down to 13 men.

Corniel van Zyl's side made club history by qualifying for the play-offs for the first time and a taste of the last eight will make them keen to return to this stage in 2027.

They were the last Welsh club standing in the URC and will watch on while Glasgow, Bulls, Stormers and Leinster or Lions hunt the title.

Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons will hope for a little less off-field uncertainty in 2026-27 as they look to make improvements, but you wouldn't bet on that.

However, Van Zyl's men can look back with pride on their campaign and, as Wales wing Josh Adams pointed out, they have plenty of room for growth as they look to close the gap to the URC's big hitters while also returning to the Champions Cup.

Cardiff wing Josh Adams speaking to S4C:

"We're disappointed with the result, but throughout the season we've been great.

"We deserved to be in a game like this today. We battled really hard and right to the end. But we're a young team and there's a lot of growth to be done.

"I'm looking forward to next season and hopefully to improving as well."

Former Wales and Cardiff fly-half Rhys Patchell speaking to S4C:

"Going to South Africa is hard, whenever you go, going at this point is tough when those players are at their best.

"In the end it was a fair result."

Image source, Rex Features

Former Wales hooker Ken Owens speaking to S4C:

"They found their way back into the game and were able to start attacking.

"I feel they'll look back at the game when they were back in it, and a mistake from Ioan Lloyd, that took the game away from them a bit.

"But they battled until the final minutes. They can be proud."

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

I think there'll be a lot for Cardiff to take away from that.

There'll be pride at the effort.

The set-piece dominance was just too much in the end and the lack of discipline and ability to manage that area of the game has cost Cardiff a famous opportunity at a victory.

In open play they caused problems, but this Stormers team just had too much for them on the day.

Image source, Rex Features

That's it.

The Welsh club season ends with Stormers beating Cardiff to earn a place in the URC semi-finals.

They will either travel to Leinster or stay in South Africa to face Lions.

Eoghan Cross can't let this game just drift off. Another penalty and Jurie Matthee knocks over the kick with the clock in the red.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

Some tired bodies in that Cardiff defensive line.

Just too many holes in that line and too much quality in that Stormers team.

They've defended manfully, but it's just been a bridge too far in these last 10 minutes.

Cardiff had a glimmer after Ioan Lloyd chases his own grubber but Stormers get back to cover.

The Blue and Blacks need to create a try from nowhere to make this a nervy finish.

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Javan Sebastian returns and Cardiff have 15 men for the last seven minutes.

They still have a slim chance but the clock is ticking.

Stormers think that they have sealed the win but the try by Stefan Ungerer is chalked off for obstruction, with Ruhan Nel preventing Ben Thomas from making a tackle at a ruck in the build-up.

It's a strange situation where Cardiff are down by 13 points but are having to kill the clock.

One more score will do it for Stormers.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

It's just an absolute nightmare for Cardiff.

It's a big hill to surmount now, but they need to stick with it.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Jurie Matthee makes no mistake from a central position, just outside the 22.

Cardiff's 13 men have to somehow stay in this before getting back to 15 and giving it one last blast in the closing stages.

Feels like the game is gone though.

Another penalty against Cardiff, with Josh McNally trappped on the Stormers side of a ruck.

The hosts will try to stretch their lead from the tee.

Gareth Delve
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

It's a double whammy for Cardiff with that yellow card beforehand.

Nightmare for Cardiff, who are now down to 13 men due to uncontested scrums.

Javan Sebastian is in the sin bin and Keiron Assiratti went off injured.

They've had to take off wing Jacob Beetham and number eight Taine Basham to get enough front rowers on the pitch, even though it's uncontested scrums.

Cardiff have a mountain to climb now.