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
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23 Feb 2013, 21:32 pm
@kaksioek-392:
It must be hard to go through life with so much bitterness and hatred as u seem to have.
Anyway, different strokes for different folks .. so be my guest.
23 Feb 2013, 21:32 pm
Anyway, it is just fantastic to see one of the original SA rugby powerhouses taking it’s rightful place in rugby once more.
It’s sad that another traditional region got the boot, as it would be poetic and right for the traditional and historical Saffa powerhouses: Transvaal, NTVL, EP, WP, OFS to compete……
Have a good evening all.
23 Feb 2013, 21:32 pm
check how stormers like robzim, skopishit and ruck are all on the Kings bandwagon now that their own team lost. Anything to feel and talk like a winner huh
On tonight’s performance the Stormers have to be very worried about potentially being relegated this year….
23 Feb 2013, 21:33 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-402: “one of the original SA rugby powerhouses”
Has EP ever won the Currie Cup, even when they were “one of the original SA rugby powerhouses”?
23 Feb 2013, 21:34 pm
@cosca-398:
Ek het die bleddie verkeerde span met 12 gekies
Die verloor teen Griekwas het my heeltemal laat twyfel en ek het hulle span en veggees totaal onderskat.
Maar dit was nice om te sien en ek is nie spyt dat ek verkeerd was nie.
23 Feb 2013, 21:35 pm
@ShaunB-403: Always been on their bandwagon…
They are a traditional SA rugby powerhouse…One of the big 5.
The guppies are not.
Do you spit or swallow?
Now I really have to go.
23 Feb 2013, 21:35 pm
@Robzim-401: jalikepeoplewhoputthenamesofrivalteamsintheirnames
I see what you mean
23 Feb 2013, 21:36 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-402:
Suurgat
23 Feb 2013, 21:36 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-406: so what do you have to do to qualify as a “powerhouse”?
You didn’t answer the question part.
23 Feb 2013, 21:37 pm
Well done Kings! You showed heart & guts & played great after losing the “inspirational” Watson.
Even if you lost tonight you would have had my admiration.
Well done!
23 Feb 2013, 21:37 pm
@ShaunB-404: When the guppies were playing social league…..and being served cucumber treats at half time?
2nd Division for 100 years………. ####justsaying#####
23 Feb 2013, 21:37 pm
@Mr Black-384:
less distance between the top two and the bottom three than you make out and certainly add Cronje to the list, agreed though.
23 Feb 2013, 21:38 pm
were WP/Stormers a “powerhouse” between 2001 and last year, by your definition?
23 Feb 2013, 21:38 pm
As for the lions, they won the S10 I’m their second season – they’ve also won a several currie cups – their history dwarfs that of ep rugby who have never won a currie cup , not ever.
The kings should be there because its good for SA rugby with their non- white player base, but as a rugby playing region they have absolutely no claim to speak of , none. Go look through the history, there’s over 100 years of it with ep being one of the longest.
23 Feb 2013, 21:38 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-402:
i see what you did there… naughty Pedi…
23 Feb 2013, 21:39 pm
@LouArth-410: Inspirational my gat. The fact he was not on the field probably won them the game
23 Feb 2013, 21:40 pm
Yes, it’s going to be fun watching the Stormers lose again – but only because of their “fans” on this website. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch of people.
23 Feb 2013, 21:43 pm
@kaksioek-417: agreed. The Stormer fans on this site really bring it upon themselves.
23 Feb 2013, 21:45 pm
@Rage-258: Because what part of “Whites” may not even be mentioned as being remotely near a majority don’t you understand? It’s all part of the “Transformation” process…you silly man, you.
#wakeywakey
23 Feb 2013, 21:46 pm
I wonder when HG will show up?? lol
23 Feb 2013, 21:46 pm
Worst SA team beat worst Aussie team. Take it for what it truly is. Battle of the wooden spooners.
23 Feb 2013, 21:48 pm
@ShaunB-413: A traditional powerhouse…..the history, the very flesh out of what SA rugby was born.
And the guppies did not contribute so much as a sperm cell for 100 years…….
It’s like cars….
See the other unions as Rolls Royce Phantoms…..and the guppies as a Tata Indica. (20 years old for all intents and purposes) Very flashy for some, and well marketed, reasonable price…..but when you tap the door it falls off, due to a lack of substance and after sales service?)
Yes, you get it
@kaksioek-417: Stop blaming the Stormer fans…. be brave and just say you hate the Stormers, simples dimples xxxxxxx
Now really have to run. ***throws kisses to her fanboys as she leaves***
23 Feb 2013, 21:48 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-402: The bloggers you mention have been supportive of the Kings for a very long time.
23 Feb 2013, 21:51 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-422: It’s not true though – I don’t. Why would I hate another SA team. I’m not like you.
23 Feb 2013, 21:52 pm
@ShaunB-403: sorry, post 423 meant not for Ms Pedi, but ShaunB:
The bloggers you mention have been supportive of the Kings for a very long time.
23 Feb 2013, 21:54 pm
@Angrystura-425: yes Angrystura…..and is there another glaring reason perhaps why they are overcompensating with fake Kings love this weekend?
23 Feb 2013, 21:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-422: funny how that small, historically insignificant and unfavoured rugby union features in your blogging name. They own you. Admit it, you hate the Sharks
23 Feb 2013, 21:56 pm
@ShaunB-426: nothing fake about it, bru, they’re just decent, patriotic folk
23 Feb 2013, 21:57 pm
@Angrystura-428: and their “patriotism” and “decency” extends to the Sharks no doubt? yeah right…..
23 Feb 2013, 22:00 pm
@cosca-305: And don’t forget to take Mrs Palm & her five daughters with you to your party.
@cocsac
23 Feb 2013, 22:02 pm
yes, it does – there’s a difference between banter between opponents, & over the top hatred …
23 Feb 2013, 22:05 pm
@ShaunB-426:
Shaun, we lost.
our team played poor and the Bulls weren’t exactly the Champions of 2007, but they did enough and were deserved winners.
I for one expect, on this weeks showing, that we will lose to the Sharks next week and be thumped by the Chiefs in week 3.
I doubt the Stormers are King supporters, but this was a very important match for SA rugby fans.
I enjoyed their win even if I didn’t pick it, it was worth dropping another point.
It seems like the Stormers loss overshadows your own team winning. Rejoice in both, and next week if you beat us, rejoice in your teams win and not in our loss.
It’s a long season ahead, no team will win every week, so remember, at some stage the Sharks will also lose.
Anyway, this is not a dig or basis for an argument, just a comment from my side.
Congrats on your win, congrats on our loss, and I still disagree that we will end 13th, but only time will tell.
23 Feb 2013, 22:07 pm
Anyway, Sharks & Kings won, & I’m over the moon
I’m out – not going to let a few “egg on the face” haters spoil my happy mood
Let ‘em luxuriate in their misery of their own making
Ciao all
23 Feb 2013, 22:09 pm
@Angostura-337: Excuse me?
23 Feb 2013, 22:11 pm
@nortierd-432: I am VERY happy that the Bulls beat the Stormers! A few seasons ago I wouldn’t have cared a jot but the Stormers fans on this site have helped me with that!
I am even MORE happy that the Sharks won. It was expected though.
Life is good
@Angrystura-433: don’t forget your coat on the way out. Are you sure you really support the Sharks? You seem to be awfully friendly with the spitting Stormers on here…
23 Feb 2013, 22:12 pm
@Angostura-431: You and Rye seem to be the only Natalians who get it
Little wonder I wish the 2 of you were Stormer fans 
Have a great evening good sir.
(And you lot; Shauney, Kasioekey, Tyrone and co. You know I have deep feelings for you fellas….)
23 Feb 2013, 22:15 pm
@ShaunB-435:
That’s all good.
But it’s a two way street as well.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Obviously there is a big history between the fans, but to honest with you, neither the Stormers or the Sharks fans have ANY bragging rights in the Super Rugby.
That honor is strictly reserved for the Bull supporters.
Both our teams are equally useless regarding bringing home the trophy.
23 Feb 2013, 22:17 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-436: youkeepthreateningtoleave
justdoit#nike#
23 Feb 2013, 22:19 pm
@nortierd-437: “neither the Stormers or the Sharks fans have ANY bragging rights in the Super Rugby.
Both our teams are equally useless regarding bringing home the trophy.”
Rubbish.
The two teams can still compare their records.
And the Sharks have a better record of reaching play off matches. The Sharks have a FAR better Super rugby pedigree. The best team in the competition never to have won it
23 Feb 2013, 22:19 pm
whydoesshekeeptalkinglikethis?
23 Feb 2013, 22:20 pm
@skopdiekan-365: Hic?
23 Feb 2013, 22:20 pm
Had Kings by chance have LOST this encounter the scumarse pieces of last bastion apartheid reveling filth would have been in here laughing their sordid little last bastion fckface arses off…
Its a true reflection on where these two face conniving cn’ts actually display their deriding disaffection…
Isn’t it a clear indication of who is at the forefront of the Kings anti sentiments.. its all these feeble last bastion fuckwits like ShaunB and his ilk of Sharkshit scum who love to hate the Watsons and the Kings and everything and anything that goes toward a true courageous revival of true South African spirit of enterprise in revival and overcoming adversity..
Kings outplayed the Force and won deservedly in spite of the fuckup excuses of cowardly pompous feces such as all those last bastion white is right punks from Sharkshit country’s denigration and desperate wishes..
They were hoping to revel in Kings ominous loss… little did they realize that Cheeky, Luke, Alan Solomons, Sykes, Engelbrecht, Petersen, the full back, the No.8, Maku, and the rest of the team and the people of EP weren’t really listening…
Go soak your patheti sharkshit anti sentiments up your sordid black-white arses… you pompous pissarse pricks are not nearly as perfect as you think you are you lowlife degenerate irreconcilable sharkshit trash…..
will be a nice little wide awake call if EP Kings and WP Stormers give you overrated guppies a little lesson in recuperating ego realignment… won’t it just.
23 Feb 2013, 22:20 pm
Absolutely brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed the Kings win, the fact it was historic just provides that measure of heightened pleasure. In consideration of keo followers who are simply racist, it’s a win that you didn’t see but to substantiate my credibility I did pick them for a win on superbru. There’s no better happiness than seeing the racially prejudiced group on keo looking for excuses when their own picked Pietersen for Man of The Match, it’s purely bliss. Feel It.
23 Feb 2013, 22:20 pm
The Sharks and Stormers are not “equally useless” at bringing home the trophy. 4 finals to 1 is a huge difference in uselessness
23 Feb 2013, 22:21 pm
@ShaunB-439:
And the Sharks have a better record of reaching play off matches. The Sharks have a FAR better Super rugby pedigree. The best team in the competition never to have won it
Well done
You should have had it in 2007, deserved that one
23 Feb 2013, 22:22 pm
@mpundulu-443: do you also tilt at windmills?
It’s hard to pick against your team on the bru. What will you do for the next game though
23 Feb 2013, 22:22 pm
The Sharks have been runners-up four times, the Stormers only once. Not quite on level footing really, are they?
23 Feb 2013, 22:22 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-441: another fckface that was hoping and praying with bated clenched teeth to sink his feeble fckface yellow grating teeth into Kings misfortunes tonight.. pity for you they weren’t interested in obliging your white is right song and dance routine..
I’m waiting the pretty day that Solomons Kings fck your overrated Whitey fanfare Brumbies the same way they fckd up force tonight…
23 Feb 2013, 22:22 pm
@nortierd-445: eish 2007 was painful bru, don’t bring that shiit up. Still haunts me.
23 Feb 2013, 22:23 pm
@ShaunB-440: She thinks its ironic or something – hard to fathom really.
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