Cardiff beat Sharks to end eight-game losing run

United Rugby Championship

Sharks: (7) 14

Tries: Appollis, Bosch. Cons: Cronje, Bosch

Cardiff: (26) 36

Tries: Lawrence, Donnell, Halaholo, Botham, Grady Cons: Thomas 4 Pen: Thomas

Cardiff ended their record losing league run with a convincing victory over 14-man Sharks in Durban.

Matt Sherratt's side had lost their last eight in the United Rugby Championship (URC) but claimed a first win of 2024 in style.

They dominated their second-string hosts who had flanker Tino Mavesere sent off for a blatant dangerous tackle on Cameron Winnett after just 20 minutes.

Alun Lawrence had already kicked off a powerful display with the opening try before Ben Donnell and James Botham followed as Cardiff's entire back-row claimed first-half tries.

Wales pair Willis Halaholo and Mason Grady also crossed, while Ben Thomas, switched to fly-half, kicked 11 points to secure a bonus-point win at King's Park.

Having kicked off level on 25 points, Sharks had clearly thrown in the towel as far as the league is concerned, resting almost their entire team before next Friday's European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.

Cardiff's first away win since October lifted them ahead of Sharks to 12th in the URC.

Wales wing Josh Adams and veteran centre pairing Rey Lee-Lo and Halaholo returned among nine changes for Cardiff from the loss at Lions and all the fresh faces impressed.

Lawrence carried well at number eight, lock Shane Lewis-Hughes dominated the line-out as well as the breakdown alongside Rory Thornton and Botham.

Sharks made 14 changes with second row Corne Rahl the only survivor from the side beaten by Benetton and - inevitably - were disjointed.

Twice their inexperienced players were warned for dissent by Irish referee Frank Murphy.

But they were ultimately undone by a straight red card for Mavesere, who smashed his shoulder into the face of Winnett. The only surprise was that the Cardiff full-back carried on.

His side capitalised and surged into a 26-7 lead by half-time.

Donnell stretched out to score, Halaholo spun out of a series of weak tackles for the third and Botham finished an impressive line-out drive to clinch the bonus.

Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Ellis Bevan blew a potential fifth try, which did not come until the 72nd minute as Cardiff were guilty of stepping off the gas.

Thomas kicked a penalty before his step and pass ended with replacement Grady sailing over for his sixth of the season.

Both Sharks' tries were opportunist scores.

The first try ironically came from Corey Domachowski's turnover when centre Diego Appollis pounced as neither Botham nor Rhys Litterick could gather the loose ball.

Replacement Curwin Bosch claimed a late consolation after Bevan's clearance kick was blocked.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: "This was one of those games when the result was probably more important than the performance.

"We felt our pack could dominate and you saw that for the full 80 [minutes] with our driving lineout after the platform was laid in the first 20 by our defence.

"We were ruthless in their 22 and that probably killed them off. To get a bonus point win in South Africa is great."

Sharks: Boeta Chamberlain; Yaw Penxe, Diego Appollis, Eduan Keyter, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Lionel Cronje, Tiaan Fourie; Dian Bleuler, Dylan Richardson, Khwezi Mona, Corne Rahl, Reniel Hugo (capt), Tino Mavesere, Simon Miller, Sikhumbuzo Notshe.

Replacements: Dan Jooste, Braam Reyneke, IG Prinsloo, Thomas Dyer, Nick Hatton, Bradley Davids, Curwin Bosch, Anthony Volmink.

Red card: Mavesere (20)

Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Rhys Litterick, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rory Thornton, Ben Donnell, James Botham, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Carre, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Mackenzie Martin, Tinus de Beer, Jacob Beetham, Mason Grady.

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Griffin Colby & Stephen Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)