It was with a sense of trepidation that I opened the release from the EP Kings Golden Lions Currie Cup game played on Saturday 16 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
I confess that I am a coward who was afraid to watch the game – afraid of witnessing a huge drubbing of a team that I firmly believe needs to catch a break. Alas and alack all we seem to be doing every new season is ‘start again’. The EP Kings seem to be caught in a vicious downward spiral of no sponsor, no continuity and no wins. Much like the Royal Family – we know why they are there and acknowledge that but, much like the image of Queen Elizabeth charging out of Buckingham Palace on a fiery steed waving a sword in the air and vanquishing England’s enemies, the promised EP Kings glory also refuses to materialise!
Post match, a despondent sounding Carlos Spencer had the following to say:
- On the match: “When the Lions got the opportunities they unloaded and caused havoc.” and “Individual attitudes let us down.”
- On Luke Watson withdrawn from the game: “Luke was suffering from a mild bout of flu and didn’t do the Captains run. At 9:00 am on Saturday we decided to withdraw hime from the game.”
- Looking forward: “We will assess what needs to be looked at on Monday and then move one.”
- Injury Update: “CJ van der Linde has a pulled calf, not looking too good for next week.”
- On Keeping things positive: “Hopefully the boys can stay positive and keep their jaws up.”
On the field Jaco Kriel ran in a hat-trick of tries as the Xerox Golden Lions hammered the EP Kings 60-19 (halftime 25-7).
Flank Kriel turned in a barnstorming performance as he wrapped up his hat-trick in just 44 minutes with the hosts running in nine tries in total as they blew the Kings away.
EP had made a fast start to the match and they needed just two minutes to breach the Lions’ defence when right wing Ronnie Cook went over between the posts for a converted try after a 50-metre dash.
But the Lions struck back two minutes later when outside centre Stokkies Hanekom dotted down for a converted try.
Golden Lions flyhalf Jaco van der Walt, in for the injured Marnitz Boshoff who suffered a broken arm in the win over the Vodacom Blue Bulls a week ago, missed out on a chance to extend the lead in the 13th minute when he failed with a penalty kick attempt.
However, the Kings were rocked when flank Thembelani Bholi was yellow-carded, in the 22nd minute, after repeated infringements at the breakdown from the visitors.
The hosts were quick to take advantage of their numerical advantage and they kicked to the corner and from the resultant penalty Kriel was mauled over for a try.
The Golden Lions were starting to take control of the contest and left wing Ruan Combrinck grabbed the third try, in the 29th minute, as the home team eased to a 17-7 lead.
Van der Walt added a penalty kick before the Lions wrapped up the bonus-point for scoring four tries when Kriel barged his way over in the 38th minute as the Golden Lions reached halftime with a commanding 18-point lead.
The Golden Lions began the second half in a rush and Kriel grabbed his hat-trick just four minutes after the resumption of play.
The hosts were running rampant and flank Derick Minnie rumbled over in the 52nd minute for a converted try.
The Kings showed that they would not be complete pushovers and they managed to reduce the deficit to 39-12 when replacement eighthman Aidon Davis was mauled over for a try in the corner.
But the Golden Lions re-established their dominance as replacement lock Willie Britz and fullback Andries Coetzee ran in tries before EP fullback Scott van Breda scored a try and kicked the resulting conversion, in the 70th minute.
There was just enough time for Golden Lions replacement Albertus ‘Kwagga’ Smith, a former Springbok sevens player, to grab a debut try as the hosts cantered to victory.
Scorers
- Xerox Golden Lions (25) 60 – Tries: Stokkies Hanekom, Ruan Combrinck, Jaco Kriel (3), Derick Minnie, Willie Britz, Andries Coetzee, Albertus Smith; Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (6); Penalty: Van der Walt.
- EP Kings (7) 19 – Tries: Ronnie Cook, Aidon Davis, Scott van Breda; Conversions: Gary van Aswegan, Van Breda.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- LaserTube Brings Fibre Laser Tube Cutting Machines to South African Fabricators, From Compact Shop Units to Bundle Loading Production Cells - 3 November 2026
- SubAlu Sublimates Photographs Onto Aluminium Panels in Randburg, From A4 Gifts and Square Prints to A1 Statement Pieces and Panoramas - 3 November 2026
- SA Heros Comics in Observatory Adds Grading Guidance and Archival Storage to Its Range of Local Superhero Comics and Collectables - 3 November 2026
- OpenCredit in Rosebank Explains in Plain Language What a Credit Score Shows, What a Full Credit Report Shows and Where Debt Review Fits In - 3 November 2026
- StickerPaper in Durbanville Sorts Its Printable Sticker Sheets by Printer Type First, Then Finish, for Crafters and Small Studios - 3 November 2026
