A superb kicking performance from Damian McKenzie guided the Gallagher Chiefs to a 58-24 victory over the Southern Kings in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium’s Saturday Super Rugby clash.
The hosts, who started Grahamstown’s Luzuko Vulindlu at no.14, had trailed 27-17 at half-time.
A superb kicking performance from Damian McKenzie guided the Gallagher Chiefs to a 58-24 victory over the Southern Kings in Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium’s Saturday Super Rugby clash.
The hosts, who started Grahamstown’s Luzuko Vulindlu at no.14, had trailed 27-17 at half-time.
Louis Fouché put the Kings 3-0 up from a penalty kick near the half-way line within the first three minutes of play. However, eight minutes later, McKenzie slotted home a penalty to level the scores.
Fouché slotted home another penalty from right under the posts to put the Kings back in front after 16 minutes.
Five minutes later, The Chiefs took the lead through a try from Co-Captain Sam Cane. Once again, McKenzie made no mistake with the boot.
The Southern Kings responded through a quickfire Fouché penalty, and then regained the lead through another after 27 minutes. The latter came after Vulindlu had nearly broken through for a try.
The kicking war continued as McKenzie put the Chiefs 13-12 ahead two minutes later. The full-back then dotted down after 33 minutes, before converting his own try to extend his side’s lead to eight points.
Talani Seu scored another try four minutes later, which McKenzie converted. However, The Southern Kings hit back through an unconverted try from hooker Edgar Marutlulle with the last play of the half.
The Chiefs started the second half with two tries in quick succession through Charlie Ngatai and Aaron Cruden. McKenzie was flawless as ever in converting both.
Marutlulle scored another try for the hosts in the 54th minute and Fouché converted to narrow the Chiefs’ lead to 41-24.
However, the 24-point gap was restored when Cane scored his second try in the 61st minute and McKenzie converted.
Kings hooker Tom Botha was yellow-carded on 67 minutes and the Chiefs wasted no time in making the most of their numerical advantage. Glen Fisiiahi added another try for the visitors before McKenzie added two points.
McKenzie then hammered the final nail into the coffin, slotting home a penalty with the last kick of the game.
The Southern Kings will take positives from a spirited attacking display, but will be looking to improve drastically as they head into their tour of New Zealand.
sport@grocotts.co.za
