Three second-half tries saw the Toyota Cheetahs record a bonus-point victory over the Southern Kings, which catapulted them to fourth on the Vodacom Super Rugby log.
The first half of this match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was a typical South African derby arm wrestle. The Kings defended well and with their flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis punishing poor discipline by the Toyota Cheetahs, the home team remained in front.
But it all changed in the 39th minute, when Toyota Cheetahs wing Willie le Roux sliced through the Kings’ defence and put Johann Sadie away for the first try of the match. Elgar Watts’ conversion put the visitors in the lead and then went into the break firmly on the front foot.
The Toyota Cheetahs, showing much more enterprise as the Kings’ defence started to falter, scored three more tries in the first 22 minutes of the second half – by Piet van Zyl, Sadie and Le Roux – at which stage it was basically game over. Watts added the extras on each occasion and with 15 minutes left on the clock, the visitors were ahead by 34-15.
The Kings’ replacement scrumhalf Nicolas Vergallo scored a consolation try for the home team late in the game, but they were never really in it since Sadie went over just before the break.
Scorers:
- Southern Kings – Try: Nicolas Vergallo. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalty goals: Demetri Catrakilis (5).
- Toyota Cheetahs – Tries: Johann Sadie (2), Piet van Zyl, Willie le Roux. Conversions: Elgar Watts (4). Penalty goals: Elgar Watts (2).
The Southern Kings stay in 13th place overall on the log with 24 points – one point ahead of the Force (on 23) and 7 points of the Highlanders who are on 17 points. The closest South African team to the Southern Kings are the Stormers on 34 points.
With four more local matches left for the Southern Kings time is now ticking away to the promotion relegation matches that they are sure to play against the Lions to determine who will play in Super Rugby in 2014.
The remaining Southern Kings games for 2013 are:
- 1 June 2013: Stormers v Kings – DHL Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
- 29 June 2013: Bulls v Kings – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- 6 July 2013: Kings v Stormers – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
- 13 July 2013: Sharks v Kings – Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
With only one game to be played in Port Elizabeth on 6 July 2013 against the Stormers the local rugby loving public would be well advised to come out in their droves to support the Kings on the day. In the back of one’s mind is always the fear of being relegated and losing the massive exposure that Super Rugby has brought to our fair city. It would be interesting to see what estimates have been placed on the value of Super Rugby to our city.
As a consolation to loyal supporters we feature a whole bunch of them in our image showcase below. All images courtesy of Photo Addict.
Alan Straton
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