That's better.

A couple of scrum penalties for Cardiff - Sheedy again finds the corner and here's another big chance.

Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

Good work from Keiron Assiratti in the scrum there, he was under a lot of pressure but he really earned his money as a tighthead.

A first chance for Cardiff with an attacking penalty that Sheedy kicks to the corner.

Ah, chance blown. Liam Belcher's throw does not go to hand and Sharks get the scrum and the chance to clear.

Corniel van Zyl said his side lacked accuracy in Pretoria last week. After 12 minutes in Durban, they are lacking it here too.

This is a concern Cardiff, with Josh McNally leaving the field after treatment.

Sure enough, he's off to be replaced by Alun Lawrence. Big blow.

To put it mildly, this start has been less than ideal for the Welsh side.

Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

Really good try there, very simple from Sharks.

Just a middle ball, Sharks set the head of their maul up, Cardiff didn't disrupt it.

Far too easy.

Toby Faletau receives the kick-off and with the composure and class of a man who looks like he has not missed a beat, makes ground and sets up the chance for Cardiff to clear.

Injury plagued or not, some players never lose it. He is one of them.

Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

We've ran out of adjectives to describe Taulupe Faletau, he has been one of the best Welsh players over the last two decades.

What he can do not just in terms of his attack, but with his ability he can still change games, even at international standard.

So Jordan Hendrikse gets us going at the now officially named Hollywood Bets Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

Or as it is more affectionately known to the locals - the 'Shark Tank'.

All kinds of Jaws and hunting related jokes in there somewhere - but let's save them for later.

Chris Horsman
Former Wales prop on BBC Radio Wales

It's going to be a tougher assignment this evening.

We know what they [Sharks] are like, 45 unanswered points against Munster last week.

The win a couple of years ago here was based on defence, they need to do that again tonight.

Image source, Rex Features

Sharks are now 11th in the URC table and remain in need of a strong finish to secure a top-eight place, and lock Emile van Heerden has now called for consistency ahead of a critical few weeks both in the league and Europe.

“We take confidence out of the Munster game, but our focus is now on Cardiff this weekend," he said.

“The log shows their quality, they’re in the top half. They had a tough game against the Vodacom Bulls last week, but we’re expecting them to take it up a gear when they come to the Tank.

“In saying that, we’ve prepared well and we know we have new responsibilities to put pride in the jersey. We’ve been up and down this season, but we want to perform consistently.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Corniel van Zyl has made no bones about the fact his side are out to right the wrongs of Pretoria, reiterating they lacked accuracy after their dream start.

“We were disappointed with last weekend’s defeat to the Bulls and just felt we were one or two seconds, or one or two metres off it," he said.

“That has been reviewed, and we have prepared well in Durban this week. It is another opportunity to fight for this group and for jersey, and hopefully to put some points on the log.

“There is no question that the Sharks are a quality team. They have an all round game built on a solid set-piece and physicality up front, with some top-class backs behind.

“They had a big win over Munster last time out and will be fighting to the end to get into the play-off places, so we know it is going to be a very big test. We will have to be at our best. We know what we have to improve and hopefully we will be able to put our game on the pitch.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Since Sharks joined the URC fold in 2021, the head-to-head record has read 3-1 in favour of their visitors tonight.

Sure enough, the venue is one that can give Cardiff fans hope. Their last visit to Cape Town in May 2024 yielded a rare Welsh win in South Africa, prevailing 36-14 under then-coach Matt Sherratt - having also cruised to a 35-0 triumph here in the previous campaign. Sharks avenged that result in the Welsh capital last season though with a convincing 42-22 success, albeit against a Cardiff side heavily depleted.

Famous last words but if the short history between these two teams is anything to go by, tonight promises points.

Image source, BBC Sport

With five games left of the regular URC season and Cardiff in 5th place on 40 points, will they secure a top eight finish and a play-off berth?

Let us know and have your say!

Image source, Rex Features

Sharks head coach JP Pietersen has made two changes to the side that thrashed Munster 45-0 in Durban last weekend, both enforced.

Bradley Davids is named as the starting scrum-half, taking over from Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams who is ruled out through injury. Davids partners fellow international Jordan Hendrikse at half-back.

Elsewhere, Ethan Hooker, who missed the Munster win for family reasons, is back to join skipper Andre Esterhuizen in the centre.

Veteran second-row Eben Etzebeth remains ineligible, with tonight serving the final game of his ban after his red card in South African's 73-0 win over Wales in November.

Sharks: Giliomee; Penxe, Hooker, Esterhuizen (capt), Mapimpi; Hendrikse, Davids; Ganyane, Mbatha, Jacobs, Jenkins, van Heerden, Buthelezi, Tshituka, Hatton. Replacements: Swart, Nche, Koch, Rahl, Potgieter, Hendrikse/Braude, Smith, Malan.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales flanker James Botham is back in the starting XV for Cardiff, one of eight changes to the side beaten by Bulls.

Botham, impressive during the Six Nations, impressed in a strong cameo off the bench in that game along with veteran back rower Taulupe Faletau, who makes his first start since New Year's Day having returned from a calf injury.

Another Wales squad member, prop Kieron Assiratti, starts having begun on the bench seven days ago, while Corey Domachowski and Rory Thornton – who is in for the injured George Nott – also return in the pack.

Johan Mulder is back at scrum-half, with Ioan Lloyd replacing Cameron Winnett at full-back and Iwan Stephens in for Jacob Beetham, after the latter failed a head injury assessment in Pretoria.

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.

Image source, Rex Features

So we have Cardiff Rugby in South Africa - take two.

And make no mistake, head coach Corniel van Zyl will want a vast improvement on take one.

It started so well for the Welsh side in Pretoria last week with that early Harri Millard try, but the early fire was barely flickering by full-time as the Bulls comfortably ran out 40-7 winners.

It was the first time this season that Cardiff have failed to notch as much as a bonus point in a URC game. There was no shortage of ambition and positive play, but handling errors, missed tackles in midfield, and the apparent draining effects of altitude all contributed to a one-sided contest.

And yet, they lie fifth in the table with the opportunity to temporarily go third at the final whistle. So while back home, the Y11 takeover saga enters its latest twist, let's instead focus on another critical night for the team on the field.

So without further ado, we will bring you the team news.