Kings face unbeaten Bulldogs
Loaned Super Rugby players not enough firepower to thwart Boland
AFTER going down 37-18 to the Boland Cavaliers on Saturday, the EP Kings face another searching test when they square up against the unbeaten Border Bulldogs in a third-round Currie Cup clash.
The Bulldogs have shown plenty of bite on their opening two matches, beating the Lions and Sharks, and will have their eyes on another win against their arch-rivals in the Bay.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 2pm and is a curtain-raiser to the Southern Kings’ Super Rugby clash against the Lions at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Kings coach Robbi Kempson’s plans were disrupted by the non-availability of key players ahead of the defeats by the SWD Eagles and Cavaliers and he will be hoping for a smoother build-up to the Bulldogs clash.
With their sights set on a place on the Currie Cup Premier Division, the Bulldogs have made a flying start to the season and will arrive in Port Elizabeth with their tails up.
Five Southern Kings players were loaned to bolster the EP Kings for the Boland clash, but they did not bring enough firepower to the table to thwart the Bolanders.
The Super Rugby squad players Kempson could call on in Wellington were Tazz Fuzani, Cornell Hess (locks), Louis Albertse (prop), JP Jonck (flank) and Junior Pokomela (eighthman).
They are all fringe players and Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids will welcome their getting valuable game time in the Currie Cup.
The Cavaliers’ quest for Currie Cup Premier Division status was given a big boost by their win over the Kings.
The Cavaliers lead 17-6 at a stage in the first half, thanks to tries by lock Ockie van Zyl and hooker Chadley Wenn, plus seven points from the boot of fullback Nico Scheepers.
Kings outside centre Somila Jho went over after some consistent pressure on the Cavaliers tryline, but despite success with two earlier penalties, fullback Courtney Winnaar could not add the extras.
The hosts were leading 17-11 at the half-time break.
The Cavaliers were quick out of the blocks in the second as Scheepers converted a penalty before loose forward Zandre Jordaan went over and took the score to 25-11.
Winnaar sprinted the length of the field after intercepting on his own try line, dotting down under the uprights.
Flyhalf Simon Bolze’s conversion was successful, making it 25-18.
Then two tries courtesy of winger Danwel Demas, 34.
His brace not only wrapped up the try scoring bonus-point, but also secured the result for the home side.
Full-back Scheepers added the extras to the speedster’s second try which were the last.
