All hail the Kings

All hail the Kings

23 Feb 2013

The Kings scored an historic Super Rugby victory in their tournament debut in Port Elizabeth.

The Kings won 22-10 in front of a crowd exceeding 30 000 against Australia’s Western Force.

What a magnificent achievement. What a wonderful night for rugby in the Southern and Eastern Cape. What a night to remember.

South Africans be proud of a team that played for themselves, their region and their country.

Hopefully now the hatred with subside.

Luke Watson, a former Grey High captain, led out the Kings and proved inspirational in the opening 30 minutes before an accidental elbow to his larynx ended his evening. His replacement Jacques Englebrecht was as imposing as every Kings player stood tall in defence to turn a 10-5 deficit into a 11-10 lead and ultimately victory.

The Kings players with Super Rugby experience like hooker Bandise Maku, lock Steven Sykes and midfielders Andries Strauss and Ronnie Cooke were outstanding but it was a local teenager, winger Sergeal Petersen, who stole the hearts with a brace of tries to be named man of the match.

Petersen was in school at Grey High just three months ago and what made the night even more monumental was the first try should go to local lad from the region’s greatest rugby institution and that the player of the night should be a product of Grey High.

Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons deserves every accolade, as does coach Matt Sexton.

‘It was an incredible defensive effort,’ said Solomons. ‘We turned over a lot of ball and made a lot of mistakes but they will learn at this level. But their commitment can’t be faulted. It was a huge effort.’

Kings stand in captain Andries Strauss said the players were always confident they were good enough to win.

‘We will enjoy the night, but we are a grounded unit and we know it just gets tougher with each match.’

The Kings were given no price and no chance and done no favours.

The Kings lead the South African Conference after week one and that alone is a screen shot that makes this year among the most historic in South Africa’s Super Rugby history.

The Kings were everything but an embarrassment. They were an inspiration and they deserve every bit of applause for what was achieved in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.

No new team in the competition has ever won in their first match. That bit of history belongs to the Kings.

By Mark Keohane


944 Comments

Pages: « 1 … 2 3 4 5 6 [7] 8 9 10 11 12 … 19 » Show All

  • 301.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:58 pm

    I can just picture Keo cracking those knuckles and getting ready to lay into most of us non believers.
    :-)

  • 302.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:58 pm

    @Predawn-276: You forgot to congratulate SA conference leaders The Kings

  • 303.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:58 pm

    Well done to the Kings. One of the record books.

  • 304.mabu: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:59 pm

    fu-k you haters you *****-es

  • 305.cosca: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:59 pm

    ****** history!!!! Kings!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuwe helde is gebore.Sergeal,Engelbrecht en vele meer!!!Ons gaan party like there’s no tomorrow .Up the Kings!!

  • 306.OCO: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 20:59 pm

    Umm, so that leaves Stormers bottom of the SA conference?
    Stormers like bottom …

  • 307.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    These men are not Kings, they’re Bravehearts!

  • 308.Thucydides: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    Well done to the Kings. Already won more games than the Lions used to win in an entire season;-)

  • 309.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ooooooooooooosh

  • 310.ET.: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    @Angostura-299:

    Totally agree with you with those choices. All you named impressed me especially Sykes, Marais, Peterson and Sampson and Watson when he played.

  • 311.mabu: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    Transie uphi?

  • 312.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    well done lads! so happy that we have some decent rugby in the EC again…

  • 313.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    @nortierd-301: Wait for it.

    Power to them though.

  • 314.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:00 pm

    @stormersboy-283: Definitely yes!! I’m obviously concerned about Elton but Taute wasn’t good either. He’ll have to consider Bezuidenhout IMO. Fourie needs to be considered as flank. I’ll pick him and Kolisi at flank and move Elstadt to 4 – but that’s my view only

    By the way – well done Kings!!

    Well done keo – this time you made the correct call(s)!!

  • 315.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm

    Congrats Kings and Kings fans

  • 316.Petri: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm

    Jaco Engels comes on and concedes a tight head

  • 317.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm

    also the Kings now have a much better Super Rugby win ratio than the Lions.
    8 points after 1 game. best start by any Super Rugby franchise ever.

    but my Bulls are going to munch you.

  • 318.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:01 pm

    O fok the sokkies are gonna go off in PE tonight.

    ABBA gonna rock till dawn.

  • 319.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:02 pm

    for what its worth Steven Sykes is the same guy who was wrongly accused by Brian Mujati of calling him a bobbejaan.

    now he plays for the Kings

    life is a funny old thing

  • 320.papaown: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:02 pm

    well done the Kings. am sure Transie is over the moon. Am in shock at how the Kings are top of the conference LMAO

  • 321.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:02 pm

    well done Kings

  • 322.mabu: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:02 pm

    what happened to the Kings getting klapped?????

  • 323.cosca: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm

    Thank you Alan Solomons and the boys!!

  • 324.capetown: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm

    Kings have more supporters, passion and wins in 1 match than the Lions in an entire season

    :-) ))))

    BEAUTIFULLLLLL

  • 325.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm

    I haven’t watched this game yet, but congratulations to the Kings – I gave them no chance at all of winning. I still doubt they will win another game, but enjoy this one. I’m glad that Puke wasn’t on the field for most of it.

  • 326.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:03 pm

    @nortierd-301: At this point you can balance a cheeseburger on the tip of his boner

  • 327.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm

    Ooooh, the bitterbekke/ bittereinders are fuming! Well done Kings, phansi lions!

  • 328.polaris: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm

    Congrats, SA conference leaders, very well done.

    Stormers last to play Lions now. :D

  • 329.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm

    sadly the fairytale wont last

    enjoy the moment

  • 330.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-319: It was not Sykes.

  • 331.cab: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:04 pm

    Outstanding win, I think it’s a one off, but v good.

  • 332.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:05 pm

    @kaksioek-325: Touche

  • 333.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:05 pm

    It is with GREAT pleasure and more than a little pride that I congratulate the Kings and their fans.
    Not only did these men save my Superbru after the Cheetahs and Stormers fuckeditup, but they have burped in the faces of the haters :)

    There is nothing on this planet that could give me more pleasure than knowing so many are at this very moment so unhappy, bitter and plainfuckingmiserable :)

    (Mostly guppies it must be added…..)

    Now, let’s applaud the SA conference leaders….. :)

    Fantastic stuff. Solomons, Kiwi boys and players – take a bow (and a hugemotherfuckingswipe at the dikbekke.

  • 334.XV: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:05 pm

    Well done Kings. An inspiration for all the young schoolboys in the region. To all those haters out there…..get over it and move on. Or emigrate.

  • 335.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:05 pm

    @KWAGGA ROBERTSE-326:
    Surely only a slider and not a Big Mac
    :-)

  • 336.capetown: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:06 pm

    have not enjoyed an win as much in several seasons
    and sergeal, such an excited young man
    love it

  • 337.Angostura: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:06 pm

    Right now, the Kings the only S15 franchise with a 100% win record
    :-)

  • 338.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:06 pm

    Well, no grandslam points for anyone in Superbru this round

  • 339.Rage: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:06 pm

    Well done Sergeal!

  • 340.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:06 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-330: he accused both Sykes and Heinke

  • 341.sparticus: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:08 pm

    @Thucydides-308: And the Bulls !! Lets not forget also player number 16 today ie the crowd !! What passion , what a crowd !! What a vibe !!

    Amazing when you think that MOTH was in school just 3 months ago. Thats the talent they talking about !!! All hail the Kings !!! I am so happy now !!!!!!

    PS – For the haters – julle weet mos.

  • 342.Tuna: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:08 pm

    Well done Kings.
    Well played.
    Enjoy tonight…… but please keep things in perspective.
    The Force team is rubbish.
    Love that stadium and good turn out. Well done.

  • 343.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:08 pm

    in the first 5 minutes i thought they have a shot, by the way they were defending and organising themselves.

  • 344.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:08 pm

    @Dilligafrican-340: Yes you’re right!

  • 345.Dilligafrican: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    @XV-334: should those haters who hate the sharks, bulls or Stormers also emigrate?

  • 346.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    The perfect conference standing come the play offs would be

    Stormers
    Kings
    Cheetahs
    Sharks
    Bulls

    Oooooosh

  • 347.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-330:
    yes, it was.

  • 348.Rage: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    @ 327 slappes + 333 pedigree

    Hear hear

  • 349.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-333: hahait’ssohilariousthewayyouleaveoutallthespacestoobadaboutyourstormersthoughtheycouldn’tbeatanegg

  • 350.cosca: Reply to this comment
    23 Feb 2013, 21:09 pm

    Engelbrecht !Nog n braveheart beter as Spies.

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