Cardiff’s bright start in Pretoria was snuffed out by a masterclass from the Bulls’ returning Springboks.

Cardiff’s pack was more than a match for their hosts as Jarrod Evans kicked three early penalties.

But the gulf in quality between the opposing backlines proved too much as the visitors were handed their biggest defeat of the season.

The Loftus Versfeld scoreboard may have been a harsh reflection on Cardiff’s endeavour but was the brutal reality for a young team.

Dai Young had been forced into several changes due to injury following last weekend’s historic win in Durban but his side still started with real confidence.

Crucially Young’s back row was unscathed and the trio of Thomas Young, James Botham and captain Josh Turnbull took an early hold of the game.

Cardiff have won more turnovers than any other side in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season and all three back rowers added to their impressive tally in the opening 20 minutes.

Scrum-half Lloyd Williams kicked cleverly and Botham carried strongly, but their injury-hit backline lacked a cutting edge – unlike the Bulls.

Jake White’s team showed 10 changes from the side that beat Ospreys 43-26, including the return of five Springboks who stepped up to strike twice before half-time.

The first try, in the 29th minute, was against the run of play with Cardiff leading 6-3.

Goosen swagger

However, quick hands by fly-half Goosen and Arendse gave Moodie an easy finish.

Evans clawed back three points when Williams was floored by a Bulls shoulder off the ball.

But after Cardiff’s pack had held firm, Goosen’s glorious reverse pass saw Arendse add to his try against England last week.

The 17-9 half-time deficit was tough on Cardiff, but they were guilty of switching off at the start of the second period as Goosen swaggered through to score his team’s third.

Cardiff still had their chances, not least through their driving line-out marshalled by Seb Davies, but were frustrated by handling mistakes at crucial moments.

They were made to pay when Ruan Nortje crashed over on the hour, before Moodie beat Jason Harries to Arendse’s chip and Elrigh Louw added a sixth try in the closing moments.

The result saw Bulls move up to second place in the table, while Cardiff remain sixth.

Bulls: Kurt-Lee Arendse; David Kriel, Cornal Hendricks, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie; Johan Goosen, Zak Burger; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (capt), Marco van Staden, Cyle Brink, Elrigh Louw.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, Nizaam Carr, Embrose Papier, Chris Smith, Lionel Mapoe.

Cardiff Rugby: Cameron Winnett; Jason Harries, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carre, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (capt), Thomas Young, James Botham.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Ratti, Ellis Bevan, Harri Millard.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni & Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)