Sharks chief Ed Coetzee has issued an apology after Cardiff consigned them to one of the heaviest losses in team history on Sunday.

Cardiff became the first Welsh team to win a Vodacom United Rugby Championship match in South Africa as they recorded a stunning 35-0 bonus point victory over the Sharks.

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It was the first time that the Sharks had been whitewashed in a competitive match in the professional era – the last time coming in 1972 against England.

While the Sharks were without 10 players on national duty, the Durban outfit was still able to field a side with the likes of Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Vincent Tshituka, Carlu Sadie, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Francois Venter and Werner Kok.

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“Cardiff were unbelievable and well-coached,” Coetzee said in the post-match press conference. “They were clinical, dominated the set pieces, and used their opportunities well.

“But I want to apologise to our fans that came out in their droves in the rain… We had more than 7000 fans on a Sunday in the wet.

“Our fans, our sponsors, our stakeholders, our owners do not deserve a performance such as that one…A lot of people put a lot of effort into this franchise and a display like tonight’s does not reward them for their input.

“Also know that we will not leave it there, we will turn this around we will get back on the horse. This was unlike the Sharks and everything possible will be done to rectify this and it will be done as soon as possible.”

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Having suffered a 40-27 loss to the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld before the mid-season break, the Sharks will have a must-win match when they host Ospreys on Friday.

The likes of Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth will rejoin the squad ahead of the match, but it remains to be seen if, after a heavy workload in 2022, they will be involved in the clash.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images