Kings thrash Dragons to secure first PRO14 victory
Southern Kings produced an impressive display to finally seal their first PRO14 success at the 17th time of asking following a dominant 45-13 triumph over the Dragons.
The South African outfit have been absolutely woeful in their first season in the northern hemisphere competition but, against a side who have not been much better in 2017/18, they finally managed to register a victory.
Although the first half-hour was typical of a team low on confidence, as the Dragons moved into a 10-0 advantage via Dorian Jones’ try and penalty, the next 50 minutes was excellent.
Luzuko Vulindlu set them on their way by taking a neat line off the shoulder of scrum-half Rowan Gouws. Jones did kick a penalty to regain control of proceedings for the visitors, but tries either side of half-time took the hosts away from the Welsh region.
Firstly, Masixole Banda’s superb individual score gave them a 14-13 lead at the interval before a scything Kurt Coleman break sent Vulindlu across the whitewash.
Ruaan Lerm’s effort effectively sealed the win and Coleman’s penalty – to go with six conversions – added to the Newport outfit’s pain.
Bernard Jackman’s men had no answer to the Kings’ pace out wide and Anthonie Volmink made it 38-13 with 14 minutes remaining.
By this point, the Dragons’ spirit had gone and Bobby de Wee completed a fine victory for the South Africans.
The scorers:
For Southern Kings:
Tries: Vulindlu 2, Banda, Lerm, Volmink, De Wee
Cons: Coleman 6
Pen: Coleman
For Dragons:
Try: Jones
Con: Jones
Pens: Jones 2
Kings: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Michael Makase, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Anthonie Volmink, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Rowan Gouws, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Martinus Burger, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Michael Willemse (c), 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Johan Smith, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Lindokuhle Welemu, 20 Andries van Schalkwyk, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Jacques Nel
Dragons: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Ashton Hewitt, 13 Jarryd Sage, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Dan Babos, 8 Lewis Evans (c), 7 James Benjamin, 6 Harri Keddie, 5 Rynard Landman, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Leon Brown, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Sam Hobbs
Replacements: 16 Ellis Shipp, 17 Gerard Ellis, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Max Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Connor Edwards, 23 Rio Dyer
Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
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