Super Rugby: Kings show us what we’ll be missing
South Africa's discards keep their nerve at the death to beat the wayward Bulls, who still can't justify their Super Rugby existence in 2017.
Lionel Cronje continued his outstanding form for the Kings. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images.
SA Rugby may have booted the Southern Kings out of Super Rugby, but they will never kill their spirit, as the gutsy Eastern Cape side showed yet again when they beat the Bulls 31-30 in a thriller at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.
It was the impressive Kings’ fourth win on the road this year and they have triumphed in Sydney, Buenos Aires and now Loftus Versfeld, traditionally three of the toughest places for visiting teams to win.
Who was the star in this match?
Kings flyhalf Lionel Cronje, who enjoyed a superb game as he controlled the match well. He won the territory battle for his team, kept them moving forward and was a calm head when several other players were losing their’s. His goalkicking was also priceless while he also adding a slick drop-goal. He scored a try of his own, racing through a gap.
Key moments and themes
- It was Cronje that broke the Bulls’ hearts with an 82nd-minute penalty that was awarded after the home side went down at a five-metre scrum. The scrum had been awarded in controversial fashion after the officials ruled a deep kickoff by the Kings had touched Bulls flank Jannes Kirsten before it went dead.
- The Bulls had had an earlier try – a fabulous effort after a Tian Schoeman break and a superb offload by Warrick Gelant – disallowed as Jenkins was yellow-carded for a late and high hit on Cronje. It was no accident and neither was the similar incident six minutes later when Kings wing Wandile Mjekevu was yellow-carded for his hit on Schoeman.
- The Bulls dominated the second half. Duncan Matthews announced himself again with a dazzling try in which he turned fullback Malcolm Jaer inside-out. It was his try that kept the Bulls in the picture, especially after replacement hooker Jaco Visagie’s try in the 78th minute.
- But the fairy tale became a reality for the underdogs because the Kings were able to keep their nerve. They are now playing with such confidence and commitment to each other, whatever SA Rugby may think.
Point scorers
Bulls – Tries: Jason Jenkins, Duncan Matthews, Jaco Visagie. Conversions: Tian Schoeman (3). Penalties: Schoeman (3).
Southern Kings – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Cronje, Malcolm Jaer. Conversions: Cronje (2). Penalties: Cronje (3). Drop goal: Cronje.
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