Cardiff Blues have held talks with World Cup winner Gert Smal about the South African becoming their next head coach.

Smal, who was part of the Springbok set-up which won the 2007 tournament, was interviewed by Blues chief executive Richard Holland this month.

The Welsh region have been searching for a new head coach since Danny Wilson opted not to renew his contract and chose instead to take up a new challenge with Wasps for next season.

Former Ireland international Geordan Murphy appeared to be the front runner for the role and there were also suggestions the Welsh Rugby Union wanted to place Wales coaching candidate Chris Boyd at the region.

Instead, the Hurricanes head coach signed with Northampton Saints.

It's left the Blues to look elsewhere and current Western Province Director of Rugby Smal is now one of the front runners for the role.

More than 30 contenders originally applied for the vacant Blues post, but the region's worldwide search has now led them to South Africa.

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Smal would represent a significant coup for Holland and the 56-year-old is believed to be in advanced negotiations with Wales' capital region.

Any potential deal is yet to be finalised, but the Blues would undoubtedly face stern competition for Smal's signature given his pedigree.

As a player Smal won six caps for the Springboks between 1986 and 1989 before heading to Rovigo in Italy where he became player coach.

He subsequently returned to South Africa to take charge of the Western Province and then Super Rugby outfit the Stormers where he is currently director of rugby.

Smal was South Africa forwards coach under Jake White when they won the 2007 World Cup, but was deemed surplus to requirements when Peter de Villiers took charge of the Rainbow Nation.

Smal also spent six years working with Ireland’s forwards under Declan Kidney and helped mastermind a first Grand Slam in 51 years for the men in green in 2009.

The Blues want to announce a successor to Wilson as soon as possible so planning can begin for next season.

At the moment preparations for the 2018-19 campaign are in limbo with uncertainty over who will be in charge, but there is now a good chance Smal will be the man to take on the role.