Cardiff were overpowered by a formidable Sharks side as they slumped to a 36-21 home defeat despite a spirited second-half fightback. Trailing 17-7 at the break, the Welsh club came roaring back to seize a 21-17 lead, but the Sharks responded in ruthless fashion to turn the game around and leave Cardiff empty-handed. Tries from Ethan Hooker, Matt Romao (twice), Jason Jenkins, Thomas du Toit and Ethan Bester along with six points from the boots of Gianni Lombard and Siya Masuku fired the Sharks to a bonus point victory in the Welsh capital. James Botham (twice) and Josh Adams scored Cardiff's tries while Jarrod Evans kicked six points. The Sharks drew first blood when Springboks wing Hooker touched down after just two minutes. Cardiff hit back when Adams scored in the far right-hand corner following an incisive break from Le Roux Malan with Cam Winnett also involved. Romao and Jenkins both claimed tries before the break, giving the visitors a 17-7 lead. Cardiff came out of the blocks like a house on fire after the break with Botham scoring from short range and from a driving lineout shortly afterwards. But the Sharks' bench made a huge impact especially Springboks props Ox Nche and du Toit who hammered the Cardiff scrum. Du Toit and Bester both scored from short-range while Romao claimed his second at the death after making the most of some sloppy play by Cardiff.

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Le Roux Malan, Steff Emanuel, Harri Millard, Jarrod Evans, Johan Mulder; Scott Sio, Liam Belcher (capt), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, James Botham, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Keiron Assiratti, Tom Manz, Semisi Paea, Aled Davies, Callum Sheedy, Tom Bowen

Sharks: Siyaya; van der Merwe, Julius, Esterhuizen (capt), Hooker; Lombard, Jaden Hendrikse; Ganyane, Swart, Jacobs, Jenkins, van Heerden, Romao, M Tshituka, Hatton

Replacements: Bester, Nche, du Toit, Lewies, V Tshituka, van Zyl, Masuku, Williams

Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)

Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse & Carwyn Sion (Wales)

TMO: Stefano Penne (France)