Bongi Mbonambi scored two tries in the Sharks’ bonus-point win against Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday.

The visitors bounced back from their Investec Champions Cup hammering in Bordeaux last week with a 42-22 victory that takes them to fourth on the Vodacom URC log.

Cardiff, who began the round in third position, drop down to fifth.

The hosts struck first through flank Alex Mann after a darting run from winger Tom Bowen, but the Sharks hit back when Mbonambi went over from a lineout driving maul and fullback Jordan Hendrikse put centre Jurenzo Julius away under the posts.

The visitors extended their lead to 21-5 when Cardiff fullback Cam Winnett failed to deal with Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku’s cross-kick and Springbok winger Makazole Mapimpi gratefully gathered the loose ball.

Bowen got past Jordan Hendrikse to score Cardiff’s second try just before the break, but the Sharks started the second half strongly when Mbonambi got his double after good work from Mchunu.

Bowen burst away for his second and when Cardiff wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb dotted down at the end of the third quarter, the deficit was suddenly just six points.

But the Sharks sealed the win with two late tries, from replacement centre Francois Venter and winger Yaw Penxe, that put a smile on coach John Plumtree’s face.

The Sharks will now take a much-needed break until their next URC match, against the Bulls at Loftus on 15 February.