Bongi Mbonambi and his Sharks’ teammates can get over their heavy defeat to Bordeaux with an improved outing agaist Cardiff this weekend. | BackpagePix
The Sharks can do themselves – and the other South African sides in the URC – a massive favour against Cardiff Rugby on Saturday evening.
A hat-trick of tries in each half 🤯
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) January 21, 2025
Damian Penaud really went and scored six times against the Sharks this weekend 😮#InvestecChampionsCup | @Investec pic.twitter.com/whNgxgMxEP
While the Durban outfit is desperate for a win after being annihilated by Bordeaux Begles in their final Champions Cup match last weekend, their compatriots will also benefit if the Sharks do get back to winning ways in the Welsh capital (kick-off 7.15pm).
Cardiff are currently third on the URC points table, and there is a chance for the Sharks to leapfrog them if they score a win with a bonus point and prevent their hosts from getting anything from the clash. But, after going down 66-12 in France, the visitors will be desperate for any momentum.
“We have a tough task ahead, especially coming from a defeat in Bordeaux.”
“We have a tough task ahead, especially coming from a defeat in Bordeaux,” hooker Bongi Mbonambi said. “We know we have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure we at least come back home with a win on tour. This will be a big game against a quality Cardiff side.”
EPCR round of 16 confirmed ✅ pic.twitter.com/MMqhfTyRxq
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 22, 2025
According to Mbonambi, their week of training looked a bit different after they only landed in Wales on Monday evening. He added that it is at least a few degrees Celsius warmer than in France, but they miss the sunny conditions in Durban.
On the defeat in the Champions Cup that knocked them out of Europe's elite club rugby competition, the Bok hooker said they put the loss behind them.
“It was a disappointing week we had in Bordeaux, but we forgot about that and learned our lessons.”
“It was a disappointing week we had in Bordeaux, but we forgot about that and learned our lessons. We are now refocusing on the URC.
“This will be a tough clash. Cardiff is doing well in the competition.
“They have some quality players on their side, and we will have to do our homework to ensure we have a plan that will give us the result. The coaches and players are working hard on that plan.”
After being knocked out of the Champions Cup, the Sharks will now have the opportunity to defend their Challenge Cup title. They will face Lyon on Sunday 6 April in France in their Round of 16 knockout tie.