Cardiff were left to wait to learn their play-off fate after securing a try bonus-point in an all action and highly entertaining United Rugby Championship encounter against DHL Stormers.

Matt Sherratt’s side needed to win to guarantee a spot in the top eight and looked to have secured two bonus-points from the Cape Town encounter but they were cruelly denied at the death as the Stormers secured a 34-24 victory.

A try from Daf Hughes and conversion from Callum Sheedy looked to have given Cardiff both bonus points with three minutes remaining, but a last minute penalty from Stormers thwarted the Blue and Blacks by taking the lead beyond seven points.

With Cardiff on 47 points after 18 games, they must now must wait on results going their way elsewhere if they are to make the playoffs for the first time.

The Blue & Blacks made an encouraging start in the Mother City and earned an early lead thanks to a Danny Southworth try.

However, the prop was sent off on 29 minutes and the Stormers powered in to a 19-12 half-time lead with Hamer-Webb claiming Cardiff’s second.

Cardiff continued to battle and hung in the contest with Harri Millard scoring a third try, in which Damien Willemse was also shown red.

The Stormers ultimately had too much pace and power with Suleiman Hartzenberg completing his brace, to add to Leolin Zas’ first-half double, and Connor Evans claimed a decisive score with less than 10 minutes remaining.

However, the helter-skelter nature of the encounter continued as Daf Hughes drove over at the back of a line out on 77 minutes to claim two bonus-points but one was denied at the death as the Stormers, kicked a last minute penalty.

Cardiff mad five changes for the crucial Cape Town clash and knew they had to win to guarantee a play-off place in the URC for a first time.

Josh McNally captained the side in the absence of Liam Belcher, and Danny Southworth, Teddy Williams and Taulupe Faletau came into the starting pack. The only changes in the back-line, came at half-back where Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy combined.

There was a frantic start at the DHL Stadium with the home side playing fast and loose. They claimed a first try on 10 minutes, when an inside ball put Leolin Zac over following a succession of powerful phases.

Springbok star Damien Willemse missed the conversion and Evan Lloyd claimed a superb turnover penalty from the restart to give his side their first opportunity.

Sheedy kicked to the corner and Lloyd attempted a trick-play at the line out but a Stormers had knocked the ball on. Cardiff were awarded a penalty from the scrum and following tap penalty, Southworth rampaged over.

Sheedy added the extras to give Cardiff a two-point lead on 14 minutes as the stadium came to a standstill in applause for former Springbok Cornal Hendricks, who passed away at the age of 37 on Wednesday.

The Stormers however, continued to pile pressure on Cardiff with a combination of brute force and speed. They claimed a second try to regain the lead on 24 minutes with Suleiman Hartzenberg displaying some electric footwork to catch the visitors off guard.

Willemse added the extras and five minutes later, Cardiff were dealt a devastating blow. In transition, Southworth saw the opportunity to put in a defensive shot but he caught the Stormers player high, and at such force, the referee saw no mitigation.

Minutes later, Stormers claimed a third try through fortuitous circumstances. Zas managed to get a toe to keep a bobbling ball in play and knocked Cam Winnett in the process. Unable to regain his balance as the ball trickled past the try-line, Winnett was unable to gather and Zas pounced.

Willemse was again on target to give the home side a 19-7 lead and a commanding position with a 12-point lead and one man advantage.

Cardiff however, were undeterred and they soon responded with a second try. After kicking to the corner, they were held short but after attacking to the right, Sheedy intelligently cross-kicked back to the short side where Hamer-Webb was on hand to collect for his sixth try in four games.

Sheedy was timed out from adding his successful conversion, with the shot clock seemingly not displayed in the stadium, leaving both the fly-half and skills coach Jonny Goodridge incensed. They deliberated with referee Gianluca Gnecchi to no avail.

The remonstrations continued as half-time was called, with Josh McNally approaching the referee to understand the explanation, with the score 19-12.

Stormers claimed their fourth try just six minutes into the second-half with Libbok sending a trademark left-footed cross-kick to the corner. Hartzenberg collected unopposed to score his second but Willemse was again off-target.

Cardiff continued to battle and they came agonisingly close to scoring a sensational team try from deep in their own half. Teddy Williams, Aled Davies and Alex Mann were all involved after Lloyd burst out of his own 22.

Hamer-Webb kicked ahead but was unable to stay on his feet as the ball sat up and the Stormers survived.

The Blue & Blacks, playing in their alternate red kit, did hit back on 56 minutes however, with another fine attacking try.

Displaying a willingness to attack across the forwards and backs, and from left to right, Cardiff would not go down wondering.

Following good yards from Josh Adams and some trickery from Ben Thomas, the play flashed back to the right. Thomas’ delayed pass fed Hamer-Webb, who working off his wing, managed to get on the outside of his man.

He put Millard away and the centre dived over in the corner for his eighth league try of the season.

And while Sheedy’s conversion faded to the left, there was plenty of drama to come. The TMO intervened as the Stormers were about to restart, and during extended deliberations between the officials, Hamer-Webb’s pass, Willemse’s tackle and another incident was checked.

However, eventually the Springbok utility back Willemse was shown red for a catching Hamer-Webb flush on the chin with a tucked arm, and the remainder of the game would be played out 14-14.

The Stormers came roaring back and Cardiff weathered a proverbial storm before a strange period of play, which was finished by a superb Cam Winnett kick, which earned a 50-22.

Connor Evans completed a counter-attacking try with less than 10 minutes remaining but Cardiff ensured they gave themselves a slim chance as Daf Hughes powered over with three minutes to spare, and Callum Sheedy landed a tough conversion from the touchline.

Stormers however were awarded a late penalty and with time ticking, opted to kick for goal which extended their lead to 10 points, and denied Cardiff a losing bonus point.