UPDATE #29: FULL-TIME: KINGS 35-32 SHARKS.
More to follow.
UPDATE #28:
79′ KINGS 35-32 SHARKS – After camping on the Sharks’ try-line for a sustained period of try, the Kings swing it wide to substitute Pieter-Steyn de Wet and he scores a try! This could be the decisive one! It is converted.
UPDATE #27:
75′ KINGS 28-32 SHARKS – Another April penalty extends the lead.
UPDATE #26:
69′ KINGS 28-29 SHARKS – A Garth April penalty puts the visitors back in front.
UPDATE #25:
63′ KINGS 28-26 SHARKS – Cronje nails a penalty and puts the hosts back in front! Old Andrean Tyler Paul almost broke through in the play leading up to it, but was dragged down.
UPDATE #24:
60′ KINGS 25-26 SHARKS – April’s kick is good.
UPDATE #23:
59′ KINGS 25-24 SHARKS – The Sharks swing it out wide and Mvovo goes over for the try! April can kick them into the lead here.
UPDATE #22:
55′ KINGS 25-19 SHARKS – Ross Geldenhuys is sin-binned for a dangerous tackle and April nails the resulting penalty.
UPDATE #21:
53′ KINGS 25-16 SHARKS – A Mexican wave is going around the ground. The fans have turned out in numbers tonight and they are happy with what they are seeing.
UPDATE #20:
50′ KINGS 25-16 SHARKS – The game has slowed down after a frantic start to the half. The Kings have a lineout near the Sharks’ 22.
UPDATE #19:
42′ KINGS 25-16 SHARKS – Cronje converts once more and the Kings are firmly in the driving seat.
UPDATE #18:
41′ KINGS 23-16 SHARKS – The Sharks restart the half and the Kings hit them straightaway. Bock grabs another try in the corner and the visitors are in trouble.
UPDATE #17:
HALF-TIME: KINGS 18-16 SHARKS.
UPDATE #16:
40′ KINGS 18-16 SHARKS – The Kings hit straight back and Cronje goes over for the try and converts! Rhyno Smith sees yellow for a high tackle when trying to stop him.
UPDATE #15:
38′ KINGS 11-16 SHARKS – Garth April, who has replaced Lambie after the captain was floored by a collision, nails a spectacular long range penalty.
UPDATE #14:
32′ KINGS 11-13 SHARKS – Cronje nails a drop goal and the crowd roars! The Kings are not lying down.
UPDATE #13:
29′ KINGS 8-13 SHARKS – Tensions spill over here as the teams brawl just in front of an excited set of fans.
UPDATE #12:
25′ KINGS 8-13 SHARKS – Finally, Daniel du Preez crashes over for the try. The conversion from Lambie is good.
UPDATE #11:
22′ KINGS 8-6 SHARKS – The Sharks probe for a gap in the Kings’ 22, but the home defence holds firm.
UPDATE #10:
18′ KINGS 8-6 SHARKS – Lambie is booed as he lines up another penalty attempt, but he makes no mistake. The Sharks are building momentum here.
UPDATE #9:
13′ KINGS 8-3 SHARKS – Lambie nails his close range kick and the Sharks’ wave of pressure pays off.
UPDATE #8
12′ KINGS 8-0 SHARKS – The visitors have their first shot at goal as Lambie lines up a penalty.
UPDATE #7
10′ KINGS 8-0 SHARKS – The hosts have a defensive lineout here as the Sharks look to apply pressure.
UPDATE #6:
7′ KINGS 8-0 SHARKS – A superb piece of play from the Kings sees Bock go over in the corner for a try! Cronje fails to convert, but the hosts are off to a flyer.
UPDATE #5:
3′ – KINGS 3-0 SHARKS – Lionel Cronje nails an early penalty from near halfway.
UPDATE #4:
The teams are out and the match is about to begin.
UPDATE #3:
The Sharks have named a strong side for today’s fixture. They certainly will not be taking the Kings for granted after only just seeing them off in their last game, which was played in Durban.
SHARKS: 15. Rhyno Smith, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Pat Lambie (C), 9. Michael Claassens; 8. Dan du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt (VC), 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
SUBS: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Thomas du Toit, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Stephan Lewies, 20. Lubabalo Mtembu, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Garth April, 23. Sbusiso Nkosi.
UPDATE #2:
There has been a late change to the Southern Kings side as Wandile Mjekevu has withdrawn. He is replaced by Alshaun Bock on the wing. Former Grahamstonians Tyler Paul, Ross Geldenhuys and Luzuko Vulindlu all start.
SOUTHERN KINGS: 15. Masixole Banda, 14. Alshaun Bock, 13. Berton Klaasen, 12. Luzuko Vulindlu, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Lionel Cronje (C), 9. Louis Schreuder; 8. Andisa Ntsila, 7. Tyler Paul, 6. Chris Cloete, 5. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4. Irne Herbst, 3. Ross Geldenhuys (VC), 2. Martin Bezuidenhout, 1. Schalk van der Merwe.
SUBS: 16. Kurt Haupt/Tango Balekile, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19. Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20. Stefan Willemse, 21. Johann Steyn, 22. Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23. Nicolaas Hanekom.
UPDATE #1:
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s clash between the Southern Kings and the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
