PORT ELIZABETH, May 13 (ANA) – Pieter-Steyn de Wet scored a late try to hand the Kings a memorable 35-32 Super Rugby win over the Sharks in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.
Against all expectations, the home side found a way to overcome the highly motivated Sharks as they produced a powerful performance inspired by their fast-paced attack.
The Kings made the perfect start to proceedings when impressive flyhalf Lionel Cronje slotted a third minute penalty after the Sharks had strayed offsides on defence.
Two minutes later and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium crowd was well and truly buzzing as the Kings created a beautiful try that was finished off by Alshaun Bock, who was a late replacement for Wandile Mjekevu.
However, the Sharks managed to settle the nerves as they slowly built their way into the contest, and as the pressure was applied, so the Kings’ discipline let them down, with Pat Lambie slotted two penalties before the quarter-hour mark.
It signalled a clear momentum shift as the Sharks repeatedly turned to their powerful forwards to provide them with momentum, and they reaped due reward as big No 8 Daniel du Preez barged his way over to score in the 22nd minute.
That try and superb conversion suddenly sent the Sharks into a handy five-point lead, but that was reduced by three when Cronje stepped up to slot a drop goal just after half an hour.
The three-pointer was cancelled out when Sharks replacement Garth April struck a brilliant 55m penalty soon after, but it would be the Kings who had the final say of the half, which saw Bock produce a beautiful break to set up a crucial try for Cronje.
Not only did that score send the hosts into a surprise half-time lead, but Sharks fullback Rhyno Smith found himself in the sin bin after committing a high tackle on Cronje in the process of him going over to score.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Sharks as the Kings created a try straight from the restart, with Bock breaking away to score, and suddenly send the hosts into a commanding 25-16 lead.
The Sharks responded by bringing on five replacements in the 48th minute, with the Durban-based side clearly looking to change the momentum of the contest. That intent ultimately led to repeated breakdown infringements from the Kings, with prop Ross Geldenhuys ultimately sent to the sin bin.
From that discretion, April slotted a 55th minute penalty to reduce the deficit to six points, while Mvovo went over to score just before the hour mark. An excellent conversion from April then put the Sharks into a one-point lead, but the Kings went almost straight back in front when Cronje slotted a second penalty soon after.
April then slotted two more penalties to put the Sharks 32-28 ahead with five minutes to play. However, the Kings refused to give up, and completed an unforgettable result when replacement, De Wet, was put away to score in the 78th minute.
For the Kings, it was a third win in a row, and one they won’t quickly forget.
Scorers: Kings 35 (18): Tries: Alshaun Bock (2), Lionel Cronjé, Pieter-Steyn de Wet. Conversions: Lionel Cronjé (3). Penalties: Lionel Cronjé (2). Drop goal: Cronjé.
Sharks 32 (16): Tries: Daniel du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Pat Lambie, Garth April. Penalties: Lambie (2), April (4). – African News Agency (ANA)
