Cardiff's play-off hopes hanging by a thread after gutting defeat
Cardiff's United Rugby Championship play-off hopes are hanging by a thread after a 34-24 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Tries from Danny Southworth, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Harri Millard and Dafydd Hughes gave them hope of taking two bonus points in South Africa, but a last-gasp penalty from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu denied them a losing bonus point.
They are now relying on results elsewhere, with Munster, Benetton and Edinburgh all in action tonight.
Matt Sherratt's side went into the final game of the season knowing that victory would seal their first-ever play-off appearance in the league.
However, it was the home side who struck first through winger Leolin Zas.
Cardiff found an immediate response, with prop Southworth crossing after a lovely decoy run from Taulupe Faletau.
The Stormers went back ahead, after Suleiman Hartzenberg stepped his way over.
Things got worse for Cardiff after try-scorer Southworth was dismissed for a high tackle on the half-hour mark - leaving Cardiff to face 50 minutes of season-defining rugby with 14 men.
Zas crossed for a second after stabbing forward a speculative kick that Cameron Winnett failed to deal with.
But, despite having considerably less possession and territory, Cardiff did get themselves back into the game shortly before half-time.
A lovely offload from Faletau created the space for Callum Sheedy to put across a cross-field kick for Hamer-Webb to latch onto.
Sheedy ran out of time to take the conversion, even without the presence of a shot clock in the stadium - despite there being an understanding before kick-off there would be one in place - which robbed Cardiff of two easy points in rather shambolic fashion.
The Stormers started the second-half in menacing fashion, with Hartzenberg crossing for his second second minutes after the restart.
However, Cardiff kept fighting - with patient attacking play allowing them to put Millard over in the corner.
A lengthy - and often aimless thanks to the efforts of the home TV director - TMO check showed that Springbok full-back Damian Willemse had hit Hamer-Webb with a high shot as the wing gave the try-scoring pass.
Eventually, common sense prevailed - with Willemse receiving a red card.
A cruel bounce handed the Stormers a try through Connor Evans seven minutes from time, but Cardiff rallied - with hooker Hughes crossing from a maul just two minutes from the end.
Sheedy's conversion from out wide looked to have secured a second bonus point, only for Feinberg-Mngomezulu to knock over a penalty at the death.
Stormers: Damian Willemse; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies; Sti Sithole, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (capt), JD Schickerling, Dave Ewers, Louw Nel, Marcel Theunissen.
Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Vernon Matongo, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader.
Cardiff: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Gabriel Hamer-Webb; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally (capt), Teddy Williams, Alun Lawrence, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Dafydd Hughes, Corey Domachowski, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Johan Mulder, Rory Jennings.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
Live updates below:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Cardiff defend manager hunt delay ahead of 'crucial' appointment
Cardiff City say the delay in naming a new manager has been down to "essential" checks to make sure they get right "one of the most important appointments" in their Bluebirds have held advanced talks with Leicester City assistant manager Brian Barry-Murphy as they close in on finally appointing a new permanent Oxford United manager Des Buckingham has also been in the frame following a lengthy process overseen by a specially-formed panel included former Rangers and Swansea director of football Mark Allen, a representative from agents Wasserman and academy manager Gavin Chesterfield, with owner Vincent Tan having the final the process, Chesterfield said: "We worked to a clear mandate from the board of directors, which led us to consider three styles - experienced managers, up and coming managers/head coaches and international based options."We worked through a long list of talented options according to a clear criterion to ensure consistency of process."It has taken longer than initially expected, but this is a crucial decision at a key time for our football club."Having started with a blank canvas, we are proud of the final options presented to the board for consideration. This is an appointment that everyone wants to get right for the future of Cardiff City."It is more than a month since Cardiff's relegation from the Championship – with Aaron Ramsey in temporary charge after Omer Riza was sacked with three games of the season remaining – leading to criticism from director Steve Borley said: "We understand that concerns have been expressed regarding the length of the process, and while initially the plan was to have the manager, and his staff, in place before now, the correct due diligence, however long it took, was essential to the ongoing success of the club."This is one of the most important appointments in Cardiff City's recent history."We've been immensely impressed by the standard of those who wish to lead our football club. We are excited to share a further positive update soon regarding the appointment of a new management team once the necessary negotiations have been concluded."
Rhyl Journal
15 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Finlay Bealham will be a great fit for the group – Lions head coach Andy Farrell
Glasgow Warriors tight head Fagerson has been ruled out of the summer tour to Australia by a calf problem. The news of Fagerson's withdrawal came a day before the squad – minus those involved in the Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals – headed out to Portugal for a training camp. Zander Fagerson has been ruled out of this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia after sustaining a calf injury. We wish Zander all the best in his recovery 💙 — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 9, 2025 Farrell, though, accepts such situations are part of the game, with the group now looking to sharpen focus towards a warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. 'It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, he (Fagerson) is a realist. All rugby players know that's the game,' Farrell told Sky Sports. 'He will work unbelievably hard to get himself fit and who knows what's going to happen down the track.' Finlay Bealham = 🦁 Congratulations to @FinlayBealham who has been called up to the @lionsofficial squad. More: — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 9, 2025 On Ireland's Bealham being added to the squad, Farrell said: 'Finlay has been called up in his place and he is in good form. He is very good at what he does. 'He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group. 'So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. 'By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. 'The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.' With 15 of the selected players still on club duty – including 12 from Leinster – England duo Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have also joined the five-day training camp at Quinta do Lago to provide some front-row cover. 'It is what it is,' said Farrell. 'You've just got to be open-minded enough to see what you end up with – what we have ended up with is a squad of 24. Bill's new keeper! 🫡 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 11, 2025 'It is a new group that has come together for the first time, so to keep it small and tight gives plenty of time in this five-day camp for people to get in the saddle and get up to speed with new systems, a new way of playing. 'We will see what we need to add to the squad in the coming weeks.' The fixture against Argentina is set to be a first Lions game played in Ireland. The tour of Australia schedule – which features three Tests against the Wallabies – begins against Western Force in Perth on June 28.
North Wales Chronicle
15 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Finlay Bealham will be a great fit for the group – Lions head coach Andy Farrell
Glasgow Warriors tight head Fagerson has been ruled out of the summer tour to Australia by a calf problem. The news of Fagerson's withdrawal came a day before the squad – minus those involved in the Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals – headed out to Portugal for a training camp. Zander Fagerson has been ruled out of this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia after sustaining a calf injury. We wish Zander all the best in his recovery 💙 — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 9, 2025 Farrell, though, accepts such situations are part of the game, with the group now looking to sharpen focus towards a warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. 'It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, he (Fagerson) is a realist. All rugby players know that's the game,' Farrell told Sky Sports. 'He will work unbelievably hard to get himself fit and who knows what's going to happen down the track.' Finlay Bealham = 🦁 Congratulations to @FinlayBealham who has been called up to the @lionsofficial squad. More: — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 9, 2025 On Ireland's Bealham being added to the squad, Farrell said: 'Finlay has been called up in his place and he is in good form. He is very good at what he does. 'He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group. 'So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. 'By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. 'The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.' With 15 of the selected players still on club duty – including 12 from Leinster – England duo Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have also joined the five-day training camp at Quinta do Lago to provide some front-row cover. 'It is what it is,' said Farrell. 'You've just got to be open-minded enough to see what you end up with – what we have ended up with is a squad of 24. Bill's new keeper! 🫡 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 11, 2025 'It is a new group that has come together for the first time, so to keep it small and tight gives plenty of time in this five-day camp for people to get in the saddle and get up to speed with new systems, a new way of playing. 'We will see what we need to add to the squad in the coming weeks.' The fixture against Argentina is set to be a first Lions game played in Ireland. The tour of Australia schedule – which features three Tests against the Wallabies – begins against Western Force in Perth on June 28.
