Sharks beat Cardiff 36-21 to end Arms Park unbeaten run

Sharks ended Cardiff's unbeaten home record in 2026 with a 36-21 United Rugby Championship victory at the Arms Park on Friday. According to BBC Sport's match report, the visitors scored six tries, with Matt Romao crossing twice, and recovered from a second-half Cardiff fightback to secure the result. Cardiff finished without a league point despite briefly overturning a 10-point half-time deficit.

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The defeat was Cardiff's first at home since losing to Scarlets in December, their only home reverse of the 2025-26 campaign. Sharks established a 17-7 interval advantage through Ethan Hooker, Romao and Jason Jenkins, while Josh Adams supplied Cardiff's first-half try. The visitors also had opportunities that did not produce points, leaving Cardiff within reach despite a difficult opening half.

Sharks had to reorganise almost immediately when Andre Esterhuizen went off after just 20 seconds. BBC Sport reported that the centre hurt his right Achilles while jumping to contest a high ball. Hooker switched from the wing into midfield and scored in the second minute after taking an offload from Jurenzo Julius, giving the visitors an early lead despite losing Esterhuizen.

Cardiff's initial response came through a move involving former Sharks player Le Roux Malan and Cam Winnett. Malan broke through before Winnett provided the pass for Adams to finish, and Jarrod Evans converted. Sharks subsequently had one attack held up over the line and another apparent try by Zekhethelo Siyaya disallowed following a television review that identified a knock-on during the build-up.

Romao crossed in the 27th minute to reward the visitors' pressure. Cardiff, playing into the wind before the break, then conceded again after Sharks won a penalty with first-half time already expired. The visitors kicked towards the corner and Jenkins forced his way over, extending their advantage to 10 points and giving the hosts a larger deficit to address after the interval.

James Botham changed the direction of the contest with two tries that put Cardiff ahead. That recovery did not last: Thomas du Toit's try restored Sharks' lead in the final quarter, Ethan Bester followed with another, and Romao completed his double. Evans converted all three Cardiff tries, but the hosts could not match Sharks' six-try total after their second-half rally.