Cardiff against the Sharks in Durban. Image: Cardiff Rugby.
Cardiff blank toothless Sharks
Cardiff produced a dazzling performance in the Durban rain to claim a famous 35-0 victory over the Sharks on Sunday.
Cardiff against the Sharks in Durban. Image: Cardiff Rugby.
Cardiff produced a dazzling performance in the Durban rain to claim a famous 35-0 victory over the Sharks on Sunday.
Both sides were without their Wales and South Africa stars due to Saturday’s out-of-window internationals, but Cardiff’s achievement was nevertheless a hugely impressive one.
No Welsh region had previously won in South Africa since the inception of the United Rugby Championship last season, but the Blue and Blacks – without a victory outside of Wales since March 2021 – adapted better to a torrential downpour in the first half to take control of the match.
Dai Young’s men punished their hosts’ numerous errors and chalked up a penalty try and a Thomas Young touchdown as they opened up a 23-0 half-time lead, with Jarrod Evans kicking 11 first-half points.
Young went over again after the break before Ben Thomas wrapped up the bonus point, with Evans adding two more points with the boot.
The Sharks will host the Ospreys at Kings Park next week, while Cardiff will travel to Pretoria where they will face the Bulls.
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The Sharks and Cardiff scorers:
Sharks — (0).
Cardiff — Tries: Penalty try, Thomas Young (2), Ben Thomas. Conversions: Jarrod Evans (2). Penalties: Evans (3).
Yellow cards:
Sharks — Marnus Potgieter (deliberate knock on).
Cardiff — Josh Turnbull (reckless no arms tackle).
Teams:
Sharks — 15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Subs: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Cardiff — 15 Ben Thomas, 14 Jason Harries, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Max Llewellyn, 11 Theo Cabango, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 James Botham, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Josh Turnbull (Captain), 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Lopeti Timani, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Rhys Carré.
Subs: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Will Davies-King, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Gwilym Bradley, 21 James Ratti, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Mason Grady.
Referee: Frank Murphy
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Eoghan Cross
