The clash in Nelspruit proved to be epic as the Steval Pumas met their match in an EP Kings outfit strengthened by a number of returning Vodacom Super Rugby players. The Kings made their presence felt early on with wing Michael Killian scoring the first of the team’s five tries in the fourth minute, which was backed up by another compliments of fullback Scott van Breda in the 28th minute. Van Breda also slotted over a penalty to cancel out one by Pumas’ points machine Carl Bezuidenhout, which put his team 13-3 ahead. But Pumas hooker Jacques Momberg crashed over the tryline on the stroke of halftime to close the gap to 13-8.
The game opened up in the second half with both teams showing more innovation on attack, and they reaped the rewards. The Kings had the first say after the break as Carl Bezuidenhout slotted over the second of his three penalties to add to two tries in three minutes by Steven Sykes and Tiger Mangweni. But a hat-trick of tries by Pumas captain RW Kember, one of which was in the dying seconds, cancelled out the Kings’ third try of the half by scrumhalf Nicolas Vergallo and sealed the victory. Unfortunately for the Kings three missed conversions and one unsuccessful penalty did not assist their cause.
Scorers:
- Steval Pumas 33 (8) – Tries: Jacques Momberg, RW Kember (3). Conversions: Carl Bezuidenhout (2). Penalties: Carl Bezuidenhout (3).
- EP Kings 32 (13) – Tries: Michael Killian, Nicolas Vergallo, Scott van Breda, Steven Sykes, Tiger Mangweni. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Penalty: Scott van Breda.
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