Irish powerhouses Leinster managed to show glimpses of why they are the champions of Europe when they edged a gutsy Isuzu Southern Kings side 38-31 in howling wind at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Just before the final hooter, the never-say-die Kings scored their fifth try when Dries van Schalkwyk dotted down to bring his side within touching distance of the champions.
Leinster took charge of the clash with a three-try burst in four minutes which fired them into a 33-12 halftime lead against a Kings side who had three players yellow-carded in the opening 40 minutes.
It was the Kings who struck first in the second half when powerful scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer burst through for his second try to reduce Leinster’s lead to 33-19 after Masixole Banda added the extras.
Leinster hit back with their sixth try when replacement Bryan Byrne made a sustained spell of pressure from the visitors count.
The Kings refused to lie down and Lupumlo Mguca scored after a powerful surge by loose forward CJ Velleman in the 72nd minute.
Leinster, with the wind at their backs in the first half, made their intention known from the kickoff when they launched the ball deep into Kings territory to take advantage of the conditions.
The Kings were on the scoreboard as early as the second minute when Yaw Penxe capitalised on a Leinster fumble after a penetrating kick ahead from flyhalf Martin du Toit.
It was the perfect start for the Kings on a day they were desperate to end their losing streak in front of their fans.
Leinster were back on level terms at 5-5 in the 15th minute when Adam Byrne powered his way through the Kings defence after neat interplay by the Irish side.
The Kings were then forced onto the back foot as Leinster went on the offensive, and it was only brave defence that halted the Irish momentum.
Leinster’s pressure eventually paid off when they were awarded a penalty try by Scottish referee Lloyd Linton in the 24th minute.
There was another blow for the Kings when lock Stephan Greeff was sent to the naughty chair by Linton in the 15th minute as the champions started to control the contest.
The Kings were down to 13 men when prop Schalk Ferreira was yellow-carded as the pressure started to take its toll.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Kings were next to score when the alert Ungerer scored an intercept try against the run of play.
With fullback Banda nailing the conversion, the Kings were level at 12-12 after 33 minutes.
There was a third try for the Irishmen after they took the ball wide and Dan Leavy dived over.
It was one-way traffic now and there were more tries for Leinster via Jamison GibsonPark and Max Deegan as they raced into a healthy lead.
The Kings’ discipline was also letting them down and MarSouth tinus Burger was the third player to be yellow-carded during an eventful first half. Scorers:
Southern Kings 31: Tries: Yaw Penxe, Stefan Ungerer (2), Lupumlo Mguca, Dries Van Schalkwyk. Conversions: Masixole Banda (3).
Leinster 38: Tries: Adam Byrne, Penalty Try (worth 7 points), Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Leavy, Max Deegan, Bryan Byrne. Conversions: Noel Reid (3).