Sharks end Cardiff’s unbeaten home run in 2026 with six-try victory

Sharks became the first visiting team to win at Cardiff’s Arms Park in 2026, scoring six tries in a 36-21 United Rugby Championship victory on Friday. BBC Sport reported that Cardiff had not lost at the ground since facing Scarlets in December, their only home defeat of the previous campaign. The hosts took no league points from the match.

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The Durban side had to reorganise almost immediately after captain Andre Esterhuizen hurt his right Achilles while contesting a high ball and left the game after just 20 seconds. Ethan Hooker switched from the wing into midfield and scored in the second minute, finishing from a Jurenzo Julius offload. Cardiff answered through Josh Adams after Le Roux Malan broke through and Cam Winnett supplied the final pass, with Jarrod Evans converting.

Sharks continued to create chances, although they were held up over the line and had a Zekhethelo Siyaya try ruled out for an earlier knock-on. Matt Romao then crossed in the 27th minute. With the first-half clock beyond 40 minutes, the visitors used a penalty to kick for the corner before Jason Jenkins scored, giving Sharks a 17-7 interval lead.

James Botham’s two tries brought Cardiff back into the contest and put them ahead after the break. The hosts could not retain that advantage: Thomas du Toit scored inside the final quarter to restore Sharks’ lead, before Ethan Bester and Romao added further tries. Romao finished with two scores, matching Botham’s tally, while Evans converted all three Cardiff tries.

In its Sunday follow-up, BBC Sport Wales reported that Botham also made 27 tackles and won three turnovers. Cardiff head coach Cornel van Zyl praised the back-row forward’s work rate and resilience against the South African side. Botham was one of six members of Wales’ Nations Championship squad in Cardiff’s line-up, alongside Adams, Liam Belcher, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann and Taine Basham.

Cardiff had played Northampton in the Champions Cup only five days earlier. Despite overturning their half-time deficit and having the wind behind them, they spent the closing quarter under pressure in their own territory. The defeat marked their second match without a league point this season, following another against Leinster; they had finished empty-handed only once during the previous campaign.