Faletau injured in Cardiff's defeat by Sharks

United Rugby Championship

Sharks (21) 21

Tries: Buthelezi 2, Penxe Cons: Jordan Hendrikse 2, Davids

Cardiff (12) 15

Tries: Grady 2 Cons: Sheedy Pens: I Lloyd

Legendary Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau suffered more injury misfortune as Cardiff's United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off anxiety grew with defeat by Sharks.

The pressure is building on the fifth-placed Blue and Blacks but they did earn what could be a crucial consolation bonus point in humid Durban.

Cardiff, who had won their previous two trips to Kings Park, trailed 21-12 at half-time despite a pair of tries by Wales wing Mason Grady.

They tenaciously stayed in the contest and got their losing bonus point when Ioan Lloyd kicked a penalty with seven minutes to go.

That came after Faletau was helped from the field early in the second half with his right arm in a makeshift sling.

The 35-year-old Wales and Lions number eight, on his first start of 2026 and just his seventh appearance of the season, looks set for another lay-off in an injury-hit campaign featuring knee and calf issues.

It was a third blow for Cardiff in Durban after they lost influential lock Josh McNally and loose-head prop Corey Domachowski in the first half.

Those injuries could prove to be even more costly than the two defeats in South Africa against Bulls and a Sharks side eyeing a late charge into the top eight.

The teams traded converted tries in the opening quarter with the Sharks striking first through flanker Phepsi Buthelezi from a driving line-out and Cardiff responding with nice hands to put Grady over down the right after a quick tap.

Home fly-half Jordan Hendrikse was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on and the visitors swiftly struck through Grady again in the 28th minute, the big Wales wing finishing powerfully from Ben Thomas' kick-pass.

Sharks head coach JP Pietersen changed his front row on the half hour - introducing Springboks props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch - and his side reacted by winning the sin-bin period 14-7.

Buthelezi burst through a maul for his second and wing Yaw Penxe spotted space behind to chip, gather and cross.

Trailing 21-12 at the break, Cardiff suffered another blow four minutes after the restart with the loss of Faletau, who clutched his right arm immediately after a carry.

The visitors dug deep and made it 21-15 through the boot of full-back Lloyd with seven minutes to go.

Cardiff could not snatch a winner but did ensure they got something for their efforts by keeping Sharks scoreless in the second half, and denying them a fourth try.

The Blue and Blacks have crucial derbies against Scarlets and Ospreys when the URC returns after a break for knockout European rugby.

Sharks: Giliomee; Penxe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Davids; Ganyane, Mbatha, Jacobs, Jenkins, van Heerden, Buthelezi, Tshituka, Hatton.

Replacements: Swart, Nche, Koch, Rahl, Potgieter, Braude, Smith, Malan.

Yellow card: Jordan Hendrikse 26.

Cardiff: I Lloyd; Stephens, Millard, B Thomas, Grady; Sheedy, Mulder; Domachowski, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, Thornton, Botham, D Thomas, Faletau.

Replacements: D Hughes, Southworth, Sebastian, Lawrence, Basham, Bevan, Jennings, Evans.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

Assistants: Morne Ferreira & Jonathan Lottering (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)