Cardiff fall short in frustrating evening as injuries mount up

Cardiff fell just short of a crucial victory away to the Sharks in Durban, although they did manage to pick up a losing bonus point in the 21-15 loss that could still prove crucial to their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes.

Having failed to pick up any match points for the first time this season in last weekend's defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria, a result in Durban would have gone a long way to boosting their hopes of finishing the season in the URC play-offs.

It was the hosts who would strike first, with Phepsi Buthelezi the beneficiary of a powerful driving maul.

Losing second-row Josh McNally early on wasn't ideal, given the club's second-row issues.

However, Corniel van Zyl's side would hit back, with a pre-planned move working to perfection for the leveller.

After Liam Belcher's initial carry from a tap penalty five metres out, Taulupe Faletau switched the direction of play behind the ruck - with quick hands able to put Wales wing Grady over in the corner.

As Cardiff enjoyed success in the air, their trip to South Africa looked to be improving.

After one promising attack was thwarted illegally, Sharks fly-half Jordan Hendrikse was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on.

Cardiff capitalised almost immediately.

From the lineout, Belcher broke into the Sharks' 22, with Grady on hand to finish Ben Thomas' cross-field kick.

However, they would end the sin-bin period having conceded more than they scored as the Sharks changed their front-row on the half-hour mark.

First, another maul handed Buthelezi his second score.

Then, a chip-and-chase by Yaw Penxe sat up perfectly for the wing after play had become a little broken.

The second-half saw the home side get on top in the air, although they didn't add to