Cardiff fly-half Callum Sheedy admitted there was a strong sense of disappointment in the dressing room after his side’s defeat to the Sharks, despite a performance that pushed the hosts close and secured a losing bonus-point.

The Blue & Blacks trailed 21-12 at the break despite a Mason Grady brace at Kings Park, Durban. 

Cardiff absorbed sustained pressure from the Sharks, repeatedly repelling waves of attack, after the break but also had their own opportunities in the final quarter which underlined Sheedy’s frustration. 

“The biggest feeling coming from the dressing room is probably just disappointment,” Sheedy said. “We’re really proud of the performance we put out there, but little moments in that game, little inaccuracies, probably cost us. We feel like we could have come away with four or five points.

“Some of the defensive sets, especially in the second half, were massive. To hold a team like that for 12 or 13 phases really shows the culture we’ve got in the squad.

“If we were a little bit more clinical in the 22 towards the end there, we could have got the win.”

Despite the immediate disappointment, Sheedy pointed to the importance of securing a bonus point, particularly in a league where margins are tight.

“It hurts to lose because we’re competitive professionals, but in the bigger picture it’s going to be a good point in the long run. Every point is crucial.”

Early injuries majorly disrupted Cardiff’s plans, forcing the bench into action sooner than expected, but the fly-half was quick to praise their impact.

“The bench were excellent… guys had to come on early and the impact they added was awesome.”

With a long journey home ahead before their next fixture, the focus now shifts to recovery and preparing for the European Knockout fixture against Benetton.