Sharks triumph over Cardiff with bonus-point victory

The result sees the Sharks climb to fourth on the URC log, while Cardiff, previously in third, dropped to fifth.

Cardiff opened the scoring early, with Alex Mann crossing the line following a strong run by Tom Bowen.

Bowen himself added two tries, and Gabriel Hamer-Webb contributed another, keeping the hosts competitive in the first half. However, the Sharks' dominance gradually took over.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi was pivotal for the visitors, scoring two tries - one from a driving maul and another set up by prop Ntuthuko Mchunu's efforts.

A critical moment came when Makazole Mapimpi capitalised on a cross-kick from Siya Masuku, punishing Cardiff's Cam Winnett for a defensive error.

Jordan Hendrikse also made his mark, setting up a try for Jurenzo Julius. Late efforts from Francois Venter and Yaw Penxe sealed the emphatic win for the Sharks.

This victory marked an impressive recovery for the Sharks after their heavy defeat against Bordeaux in the Investec Champions Cup the previous week.

Head coach John Plumtree expressed satisfaction with the team's response, highlighting their improved execution and resilience.

The Sharks will now take a well-earned break before facing the Bulls at Loftus on 15 February, aiming to continue their upward trajectory.