So I was away in Slaapstad last week and unable to attend the humiliating defeat of local guys, Southern Kings by the Waratahs.
This week I was back at my post and the Kings played marvelous rugby to beat the Highlanders 34-27.
That I was away when they lost could not have something to do with it, or could it? Just saying people, just saying.
One of my tasks during the Southern Kings games is to keep the live blog going and that means that I monitor the Twitter stream mentions of the Southern Kings. What amazes me week after week is the way that that pendulum of sentiment swings. Last week I had to wade through heaps of invective and negative sentiment as the Kings failed to gain momentum, this week it was hard to find a negative tweet at all – in fact I was hard pressed to not publish every tweet about the game.
Click here to replay the game and see the tweets.
Let’s be honest – if you are part of a winning team nobody gives a rat’s bum who you are, even if your name is Luke Watson – who, by the way had an outstanding game for the Kings last night. I also think that freeing Andries Strauss of the mantle of captaincy has freed him up to play some spectacular rugby. A pity about his niggling shoulder concerns, though.
The Greek God (lets hope that the appearance of his Longhair in Port Elizabeth will not take the edge of off his game, Nicolette?) added another 14 points to his tally and took him to over 100 points in Super Rugby this season. And, we witnessed him darting and evading Highlanders players in an attempt to cross the tryline from a series of moves that eventually saw Cornell Du Preez crash over and score.
Alan Solomons continues to prove that he can spot fresh young talent when young Shane Gates showed that he can mix it with the big boys and had many a scribe and spectator squirming with delight as ‘Gatesy’ charged again and again for the line and made some spectacular low tackles. Gates, whilst still a Muir boy, was one of Solomons and Robbie Kempson’s first signings to the burgeoning EP Academy.
South African rugby lovers can be well satisfied with the Southern Kings who were the only SA side to win in this weekend’s games.
Scorers:
- Southern Kings: Tries: Du Preez, Venter, Watson (2), Venter, Du Preez, Watson (2). Penalties: Catrakilis (2). Conversions: Catrakilis (4),
- Highlanders: Tries: Slade, Treeby, Thorn, Gear. Penalties: Slade (2). Conversions: Slade (2)
mmm Jason I think Nicolette may like that deodorant!
Du Preez, Bullbring, Catrakilis, Maku were all instrumental in the try scored by Cornell du Preez
Cornell Du Preez’s Try
Images courtesy of Photo Addict.
Kings vs Highlanders highlight video – Week 13, 2013
See all the results and links to each match report HERE.
List of wins by the Southern Kings:
- 23 February 2013: Southern Kings beat Western Force in Port Elizabeth: 22-10. Match Report
- 13 April 2013: Southern Kings beat Melbourne Rebels in Melboure, Australia: 30-27. Match Report
- 11 May 2013: Southern Kings beat Highlanders in Port Elizabeth: 34-17. Match Report
