The Southern Kings had their first taste of international opposition in the shape of the Chiefs during round five of the Vodacom Super Rugby.
The Southern Kings had their first taste of international opposition in the shape of the Chiefs during round five of the Vodacom Super Rugby.
Southern Kings were unable to prevent the Chiefs from taking a sixth victory from their last eight appearances in South Africa, but once again showed fighting spirit in going down 35-24.
Sergeal Petersen grabbed a breakaway try in the match to keep his team in the hunt and score his third try of the competition, making him the leading South African try scorer to date.
The Southern Kings appeared to be heading for a chastening defeat by the rampant defending champions as they slipped into a 32-13 deficit, with more than a quarter of the match remaining.
The Kings had held on – just – throughout the first half with Sergeal Petersen’s third try of the season on the stroke of halftime having kept them in the hunt at 18-13 down.
Petersen took advantage of a dropped Chiefs pass 10 metres from his own line, to sprint away and swallow-dive under the poles.
The Chiefs’ scoring spurt at the start of the second half looked set to put them out of sight, but by the final whistle they were happy to close out the game as the 19-point lead was whittled down to eight at one point.
The Kings were forced to throw caution to the winds and the freedom it provided allowed No 8 Jacques Engelbrecht to dive over in the corner after a succession of pick-and-go moves.
Demetri Catrakilis kicked two penalties to narrow the gap to eight points before Gareth Anscombe had the final word for the Chiefs.
– from www.sarugby.co.za
