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Sharks beat Cardiff 36-21 but lose captain Esterhuizen to injury

Published

The Sharks scored six tries to win a Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday. Captain Andre Esterhuizen left with an injury after an early fall, and Jurenzo Julius did not return after halftime.

The Sharks led 17-7 at halftime and won with a 15-point margin. The win earned five log points. Ethan Bester, a replacement hooker, scored a try in the 74th minute.

Esterhuizen was seen on the sidelines in a moon boot after an awkward fall early in the match. The writer of the match report thinks he is highly unlikely to be cleared for the Springboks' Nations Championship away leg in Italy.

Julius is a Sharks centre. The same writer said his absence after halftime should be seen as an injury, but the team has not confirmed this.

Ethan Hooker started on the wing and scored a try, and Matt Ramao scored two tries. Zekhethelo Siyaya was named man of the match. Cardiff flanker James Botham scored two tries.

Key facts

Who
Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks skipper, injured); Jurenzo Julius (Sharks centre, did not return for second half); Rassie Erasmus (Springbok coach); Ethan Hooker (Sharks player who started on the wing and scored a try)
What
The Sharks won 36-21 away to Cardiff in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, scoring six tries. Sharks captain Andre Esterhuizen was seen on the sidelines in a moon boot after an awkward fall early in the match, and Jurenzo Julius did not return after halftime, which the article says should be assumed to be an injury.
When
23 October 2026
Where
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales
Status
Final result

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