Sharks score six tries to end Cardiff’s Arms Park run in 2026
Sharks beat Cardiff at the Arms Park in the United Rugby Championship on 23 October 2026, becoming the first side to beat Cardiff at the venue in 2026; the South Africans ran in six tries to secure the victory and condemn Cardiff to a rare home loss.
Cardiff had not lost at the Arms Park since a defeat by Scarlets last December, that season’s only home reverse, and entered the game with six of their seven players from Wales’ Nations Championship squad: wing Josh Adams, hooker Liam Belcher, lock Teddy Williams and the back row of Alex Mann, James Botham and Taine Basham. Cardiff flanker James Botham has won 24 caps for Wales. Steve Tandy saw all those players come through the match apparently unscathed.
The Sharks fired early when Ethan Hooker, shifted quickly from wing to midfield, scored in the second minute from Jurenzo Julius’ offload. Cardiff responded with Josh Adams finishing a move created by Cam Winnett and a break from Le Roux Malan, Jarrod Evans adding the conversion, but Sharks pressure produced a try by Matt Romao in the 27th minute and, with the clock in the red, lock Jason Jenkins muscled over to make it 17-7 at half-time.
Cardiff reduced the deficit early in the second half when Botham crashed over from close range after a tap penalty and Evans converted; Evans then put in a touch-finder that led to Botham’s second try after peeling from a driving line-out. The second Botham score was followed by a brawl.
Sharks responded in the final quarter as Thomas du Toit powered over for the visitors’ bonus-point try, Ethan Bester guided a driving line-out over the line in the 74th minute and Romao added a late score to complete Sharks’ six-try haul. Conversions for Cardiff were from Evans (3); Sharks’ conversions were Lombard (2) and Masuku.
The match featured an early injury blow for Sharks when Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen lasted just 20 seconds after injuring his right Achilles while jumping for a high ball. Sharks also had a score ruled out by the TMO earlier in the game after a knock-on in the build-up to full-back Zekhethelo Siyaya appearing to go over.
Cardiff: Winnett; Adams, Malan, Emanuel, Millard; Evans, Mulder; Sio, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, Williams, Mann, Botham, Basham. Replacements: Lloyd, Southworth, Assiratti, Manz, Paea, A Davies, Sheedy, Bowen.
Sharks: Siyaya; van der Merwe, Julius, Esterhuizen (capt), Hooker; Lombard, Jaden Hendrikse; Ganyane, Swart, Jacobs, Jenkins, van Heerden, Romao, M Tshituka, Hatton. Replacements: Bester, Nche, du Toit, Lewies, V Tshituka, van Zyl, Masuku, Williams. Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse & Carwyn Sion (Wales).
Sharks’ victory ended Cardiff’s undefeated run at the Arms Park in 2026 and continued what the visitors described as a strong start to their United Rugby Championship campaign.
