Sharks beat Cardiff 36-21 to end Arms Park run despite losing Esterhuizen
The visitors came back from 21-17 down with late tries from Thomas du Toit and Ethan Bester, and became the first side to win at the Arms Park in 2026.
Follow-up to Cardiff vs Sharks: five Springboks return for URC clash at the Arms Park
Cardiff's home record for 2026 is gone. The Sharks won 36-21 in the United Rugby Championship at the Arms Park on Friday 23 October, scoring six tries for a bonus-point win, and they did it after losing their captain inside the first minute.
Andre Esterhuizen, the Springbok centre who leads the side, went off injured almost as soon as the Cardiff vs Sharks match had started.
That did not hold them back in the first half, and they led 17-7 at the break.
Cardiff hit back
Cardiff had come into the game on a five-day turnaround after losing to Northampton, but they turned the match around after half-time. Flanker James Botham scored twice and the Welsh side moved 21-17 in front. Josh Adams scored their other try, and Jarrod Evans converted all three.
The Sharks found their way back with a strong finish. Prop Thomas du Toit crossed in the 62nd minute to put them ahead again, and replacement hooker Ethan Bester scored in the 74th minute to settle it.
Those two tries came on top of scores from Ethan Hooker, Jason Jenkins and Matt Romao, who scored two.
First home loss of the season
The defeat was Cardiff's first at home this season, and nobody else had won at the Arms Park in 2026. Their last loss in the Welsh capital came against the Scarlets the previous December, which was also the only home game they lost in the 2025-26 season.
Sources
- Cardiff 21-36 Sharks: Durban side record impressive URC win at Arms Park (BBC Sport)
- Cardiff overpowered by Sharks (WalesOnline)
- Sharks trounce Cardiff, but suffer Giant loss (SA Rugby Magazine)
- Cardiff v Sharks: Five takeaways as visitors overcome early loss of Springboks star to clinch win while Wales ace 'empties the tank' for hosts (Planet Rugby)
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