Southern Kings
Kings (3) 12 / 21 (12) Sharks (Final Score)
The Aveng Southern Kings and The Sharks did battle in Super Rugby at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Aveng Group today announced that it has concluded a major sponsorship deal with the Southern Kings and the Eastern Province Rugby.
John Plumtree has the rare pleasure of being able to select an unchanged line-up for his team’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Expecting the worst, I was reluctant to the point of rather snooze off in front of the TV when the Southern Kings vs Western Force match started at 06:00 this morning in New Zealand.
The first 10 minutes was not encouraging at all with the Kings hardly seeing the ball. On the brink of switching the TV off, the Kings scored the first try of the match. Intrigued I started to watch, with more interest and what a delight it turned out to be.
SuperBru points in the back of my mind, I was not concerned about them losing. So I kept on watching not because they were edging ahead and eventually winning but because of the delightful rugby they dished-up.
The defence was good, the set piece solid (mostly), the line-out better than the Stormers on the weekend and the ball handling in the backline refreshing and full of variation. There was some enchanting inter-passing between forwards and backs, good hands, nice light touches and good decision-making when they carried the ball. Some exciting new talent was on display as well on the wing with Sergeal Petersen. Demetri Catrakilis had an impressive game at flyhalf. Seems that we have a wing here that could be a Springbok in the making and Catrakilis impressed as a flyhalf that can dictate as well as play the running game.
Kings (5) 22 / 10 (10) Force (Final Score)
The Southern Kings made their debut in Super Rugby against the Western Force at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Southern Kings team to take on the Western Force in their debut Super Rugby game in Port Elizabeth on Saturday does not feature any foreign players in the starting line-up.
He’s the one that got away, but it seems suspicion is mounting in the Western Force camp that a spy intent on aiding new Super Rugby franchise the Southern Kings filmed some of their training on Tuesday.
GWK Griquas have beaten the Southern Kings 30 -27, in what was the Kings final warm up match. This result raises yet more questions as to the Kings preparedness for this years Super 15. Simon Westraadt scored a try five minutes from the final whistle to seal the Kings loss. Burton Francis converted, bringing his personal haul to 20 for the match. Burton Francis must have been left smiling, after he was left out of the Kings group earlier this year.
The Southern Kings have named all five of their foreign players in their final 35-man Super Rugby squad despite SARU’s ruling that they are only allowed two.
With an ace up their sleeve, the Sharks and Stormers will have their greatest chance yet to end their Super Rugby trophy drought this year.
GWK Griquas have named a strong and experienced team to play against the Southern Kings in their final warm-up match on Wednesday 12 February, 19h00 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. This will surely be another stern examination of the Southern Kings preparedness for the ardous Super Rugby series which lies ahead.
Some of the Griquas players will want to show the Cheetahs’ coaches that they are able replacements, should injuries occur.
So the long awaited “non-grudge” game between South Africa’s newest Super Rugby franchise and the team they displaced has come and gone, with the Lions winning the game on the score board.
But who were the real winners on the day and why?
Here’s my personal take on it all:
Lions (22) 41 / 31 (7) Kings (Final Score)
The MTN Lions and Southern Kings did battle in the MTN Lions Challenge at Ellis Park, Johannesburg at 14:15 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD on TV in SA.
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The Kings revealed that they will wear an all black strip when playing at home in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
MTN Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has announced the following team to take on the Southern Kings this Saturday at Ellis Park.
The match kicks off at 14:15 but gates open at 10:30 for the Oostelikes versus Alberton curtain raiser.
New wing signing Michael Killian has been ruled out of the Southern Kings opening Super Rugby match against the Western Force in Port Elizabeth.
Southern Kings captain Luke Watson has said that SARU’s decision to relegate the Lions was unfair and expressed sadness at the Lions’ Super Rugby exit.
Speaking to SportsTalk in a radio interview, Watson sympathised with the Lions’ plight, and said fans had every right to feel aggrieved.
The 8th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for BACK THREE (Wings & Fullbacks) in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 7th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for CENTRES in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The Southern Kings have announced a 40-man squad ahead of their Super Rugby debut season, with some experienced players falling by the wayside.
The Eastern Cape franchise will make their Super Rugby entry without stalwarts Tiger Mangweni and Wayne van Heerden who failed to make the cut when the revised squad was announced this week.
With the 2013 Super Rugby season just around the corner the fixture list of all warm up games has been released.
Some teams have opted for tougher opponents and some less so, much of course depending on their requirements and strategies they have planned for. The tournament itself kicks off on the 15 February 2013.
With most of the pre-season fitness programmes out of the way, the next few weeks will be vital as each side starts to focus on honing their game ahead of another grueling season. Teams will be trying to get their best combinations together as to find cohesion, coaches of course will hope not to pick up injuries as some teams are starting the season with numerous injured stars.
The 6th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for FLYHALVES in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 5th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for SCRUMHALVES in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 4th Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for LOOSE FORWARDS in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 3rd Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for LOCKS in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 2nd Article in the set discussing the Southern Kings.
In this Article we look at the contenders for HOOKERS in the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
In this Article we look at the contenders for PROPS at the Southern Kings 2013 Super Rugby group.
It is extremely difficult to pre-judge the Southern Kings and the performance we could expect from them, hell it is even difficult to get full player particulars of the players who are squad contenders in many instances, so here it goes.. warts and all.
The Southern Kings have admitted they went ahead and signed additional foreigners, despite a South African Rugby Union statement that they are allowed just two imports.
The Southern Kings have signed Toulouse hooker Virgil Lacombe as their fourth international player for Super Rugby next year.
EP Rugby CEO Anele Pamba has resigned from his position with immediate effect, leaving President Cheeky Watson in “shock”.
The Kings have been working hard on their fitness ahead of what they know will be a gruelling debut Super Rugby season next year.
The Southern Kings will have two New Zealand coaches at the helm during next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Super Rugby newcomers, the Southern Kings, are busy finalising their squad for next year’s tournament.
The Southern Kings appear to have given up on their pursuit of foreign imports, while also confirming that they are in talks with another Springbok.
The Southern Kings have been given a player boost by the news that both Western Province Currie Cup hero Demetri Catrakilis and Lions and Bok hooker Bandise Maku will be joining them for the 2013 edition of Vodacom Super Rugby.