In a stunning display at Arms Park, the Sharks triumphed over Cardiff with a score of 36-21 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on October 7, 2026. This victory marked the Sharks as the first team to defeat Cardiff at home this season, ending their unbeaten run since December 2025.

The match began with the Sharks taking an early lead, going into halftime at 17-7 after tries from Ethan Hooker, Matt Romao, and Jason Jenkins. Cardiff managed to score through Josh Adams, but the visitors dominated the first half.

In a spirited second half, Cardiff fought back with two tries from the impressive James Botham, narrowing the gap. However, the Sharks responded decisively with a try from Thomas du Toit, regaining their lead. They sealed their victory with additional tries from Ethan Bester and Romao, showcasing their offensive prowess.

Key match highlights included:

• Cardiff's struggles at the set-piece, leaving them overpowered.
• Sharks' early injury to Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen, who left the field after just 20 seconds.
• A strong performance from Cardiff's Nations Championship squad members, including Liam Belcher and Teddy Williams, who all emerged unscathed.

Despite the loss, Cardiff had moments of brilliance but ultimately fell short against a relentless Sharks side that continues to build momentum in the URC.