High winds and a Sunday afternoon start did not deter supporters from almost filling the Madibaz Main Stand at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth for the Guinness Pro14 clash between the Southern Kings and Leinster Rugby on 4 November 2018.
The Southern Kings started on attack and looked dangerous in the first 10 minutes. Three minutes after the start Kings winger, Yaw Penxe chased a kick ahead ball from Martin du Toit and crashed over to score in the Leinster corner. The wind beat Masixole Banda whose conversion was unsuccessful and the Kings moved to 5-0.
Leinster’s Adam Byrne (14) returned the favour 16 minutes into the game and scored in the Kings corner. An unsuccessful wind interrupted conversion attempt by Noel Reid put the sides on equal footing at 5-5.
23 minutes in we went to a TMO decision for Leinster which was denied – scrum down.
Not deterred Leinster won the ball and won a Penalty try decision – 12-5 to Leinster and the pressure is on the Kings as Stephan Greeff is sent to the sin bin.
After 30 minutes Schalk Ferreira is also shown a yellow card after an accumulation of offenses.
On the 33rd minute an interception by Stephan Ungerer and a quick scamper from the halfway line saw him dot down within a kickable distance for the conversion by Banda who made sure and evened the score to 12-12.
Joe Tomane sets up Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park who starts the rout as Noel Reid converts.
The return blow was almost immediate as Ed Byrne charges down a Kings kick, Dan Leavy receives the pass and scores – Reid converts and things are looking pretty crap for the Isuzu Southern Kings.
On the halftime siren Tienie Burger was also sent to the sin bin after a tackle off the ball and Leinster win a penalty but opt for a scrum in front of the Kings poles – good move as they score under the poles, with Max Deegan doing the 5 point damage and the conversion is good as Noel Reid tames the wind for another 2 points.
In the space of 4 minutes Leinster Rugby extended their lead by 21 points with three trues and conversions.
Halftime score: 33-12 in Leinster’s favour.
Ungerer did it again with an interception on the 44th minute and scores for the Southern Kings off of the start – 33-17. Banda’s conversion is good and 2 more points takes the score to 33-19 in favour of Leinster.
With the Isuzu Southern Kings back to a full complement Leinster returned to a controlled, incremental game – lying deep and swinging wide whilst playing off the Southern Kings youthful enthusiasm.
Another penalty awarded to Leinster who opted for a scrum in front of the Kings poles. Spirited defense and another penalty to Leinster in almost the exact same spot. One more scrum as Leinster grind the Kings down looking for that seven points. Joy for the Kings as they win the next scrum and the put in in te 59th minute. Banda clears and the pressure is off the Kings for the moment. A tense 10 minutes as Leinster probed defenses looking for 7 more points.
The pressure pays off for Leinster as they score with Brian Byrne doing the damage. 65 minutes into the game Leinster are on 38 points against the Kings 19.
Some concerted pressure and spitited attack from the Southern Kings eventually converts into a try as Nicholas Oosthuizen completes the movement to allow Lupumlo Mguca to score in the 73rd minute. Conversion is not good and the Kings move to 24 points against Leinster’s 38.
Leinster attack back with purpose throwing the ball around and camping on the Kings tryline probing for a hole and we wait for a TMO decision in the 76th minute of the game which sends Berton Klaasen to the sin bin for a deliberate knock down. Kings are now down to 14 again in the dying minutes of the game.
A superb break from Banda sets Dries Van Schalkwyk up for a 5 pointer – the conversion is good and the Kings add 7 points to take them to 31 against Leinster’s 38 points. And that is where the sides end on the final whistle.
A good showing by the Isuzu Southern Lings against the Champions Leinster Rugby.
Southern Kings 31 (12) Leinster 38 (33)
Scorers:
Southern Kings – Tries: Yaw Penxe, Stephan Ungerer (2), Lupumlo Mguca, Dries Van Schalkwyk; Conversions: Masixole Banda (3)
Leinster Rugby – Tries: Adam Byrne, Penalty Try, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Max Deagan ; Conversions: Noel Reid (3)
Alan Straton
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