PORT ELIZABETH – Izolo iSouthern Kings ibhale iincwadi zembali ngokutsha ngethuba ibetha iSharks ngo’35-32 okokuqala kumdlalo weSuper Rugby ngenjikalanga yayizolo eNelson Mandela Bay Stadium. IKings iye kulo mdlalo isitsha zintambo emva kokuphumelela imidlalo emibini ngokulandelelana ekhaya. Ibingekho enye indlela ebelinokwenza ngayo iqela ebelidlalela ekhaya ngoba belingqiyame ngenkxaso yabalandeli bombhoxo abangaphaya kwamawaka angamashumi amabini ananye.

Lo mdlalo wayizolo ubungohlukanga kulowa wokuqala owawuseThekwini – apho iSharks yabetha kuwo iKings. Kweli ityeli ibuyise izitya kamnandi kwaye ngexesha elibi kakhulu lesizini. Indoda encede iKings ngokulala emgceni ngomzuzu wokugqibela nguPieter-Steyn. Yimpumelelo le eyifunquleyo kakhulu iKings kumbhoxo. Ukubetha iSharks akuyondlwan’ iyanetha – kodwa ngenxa yokuzimisela nokufaka kwamanqaku ngabadlali beKings kuwenze umsebenzi womqeqeshi walula ngakumbi.

Nayo iSharks ize izimisele ukuqokelela amanqaku kulo mdlalo, indlela abadlali abafana noPat Lambie, uDaniel du Preez nabanye, abadlale ngayo ibibonisa mhlophe into eyifunayo. ISharks azifakanga uxinizelelo nje kuphela, ibifaka namanqaku – lo nto ikhokelele ekukhokeleni kwayo ngathuba lithile emdlalweni nangona nje iKings iye yakwazi ukuziguqula izinto. Le yimpumelelo yesithathu yeKings imidlalo ilandelelana – kodwa soze abadlali bayilibale ngoba kokokuqala ibetha iSharks.

Points-Scorers

Southern Kings 35 – Tries: Alshaun Bock (2), Lionel Cronjé, Pieter-Steyn de Wet. Conversions: Cronjé (3). Penalties: Cronjé (2). Drop goal: Cronjé (1).

Sharks 32 – Tries: Daniel du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Pat Lambie (1), Garth April (1). Penalties: Lambie (2), April (4).