Six-try Sharks condemn Cardiff to rare home defeat

Sharks score six tries to become first side to beat Cardiff at the Arms Park in 2026 in the United Rugby Championship. Tries: Hooker, Romao 2, Jenkins, du Toit, Bester Cons: Lombard 2, Masuku Sharks became the first side to beat Cardiff at the Arms Park in 2026 with an impressive victory in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The Blue and Blacks had not lost in the Welsh capital since defeat by Scarlets last December – their only home loss of the 2025-26 campaign – but the six-try South Africans deservedly took the spoils. Sharks led 17-7 at half-time thanks to tries by Ethan Hooker, Matt Romao and Jason Jenkins to one by Josh Adams, but the visitors should have had an even more commanding advantage.

Cardiff turned the game around with a double by the hugely impressive James Botham only for Thomas du Toit to put the Durban side back in front inside the final quarter. They secured the win through Ethan Bester and added a flourish through Romao to continue a strong start to the URC. Cardiff, who were overpowered and struggled at the set-piece, were left pointless and could have no complaints. A new old home for Ospreys side fighting for a future Cardiff featured six of their seven players from Wales' Nations Championship squad – wing