Sharks win but Cardiff refuse to leave Durban empty handed

Ioan Lloyd landed a late penalty to secure Cardiff a losing bonus point in their 21-15 United Rugby Championship defeat by the Sharks at Kings Park.

Lloyd was on target in the 74th minute to reward the Welsh region for controlling the latter stages of their trip to Durban, although they did not make the most of their possession.

Cardiff trailed 21-12 from just before half-time until Lloyd kicked the game’s only penalty with the second-half turning into a bad-tempered arm wrestle in humid conditions.

Wales international Mason Grady ran in two tries before the interval but a pair of touch downs from Phepsi Buthelezi and a third by Yaw Penxe meant the Sharks stayed in front.

Flanker Buthelezi was named man of the match but it was his side that was doing all the defending in the final quarter with Callum Sheedy’s cross-field kick to Elijah Evans almost resulting in a try.

It completes an unsuccessful trip to South Africa for Cardiff, who were overwhelmed 40-7 by Pretoria a week ago.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (SARU)

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Luan Giliomee, Yaw Penxe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen (CAPT), Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Bradley Davids; Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Nick Hatton

Replacements: Eduan Swart, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Jannes Potgieter, Jaden Hendrikse, Jean Smith, Le Roux Malan

Cardiff Rugby: Ioan Lloyd, Iwan Stephens, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Elijah Evans