Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Southern Kings surprise the Bulls in Super Rugby warm up
The Southern Kings, who some of you may remember from the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2009, are an ambitious young side who now, under coach Alan Solomons, are growing in strength and have real Super Rugby ambitions for the future.
The region has a rich history with rugby amongst the locals and the aim is to tap into that eventually, but for now build up a competitive team that will become a force to be reckoned with. Theyve now got a powerful forward back, and some talented speedsters in the backs. This was evident as they beat the Bulls 23-7 on the weekend.
It was a second string Bulls side but it was still quite an upset as the Kings beat the Super Rugby champions in an impressive display at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Siyanda Grey and Matthew Tayler-Smith showed maturity and serious gas, with Grey in particular finishing off a brilliant breakaway try that featured flyer Norman Nelson. Pierre Maraais, a sub, was also involved in everything, showing that this side has plenty of potential as they build towards their 2013 entry into the Super Rugby tournament.
"We showed we belonged here," Solomons said.
An enjoyable game with some nice play, particularly for the Grey try, heres some quick highlights for those of you who might have missed it. Remember that if there was anything that took place on the weekend that you think should be featured, please get in touch.
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The Bulls beat the Stormers to win back to back Super 14 titles
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The Bulls beat the Stormers to win back to back Super 14 titles
Southern Kings stand up to the British & Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth
Posted at 10:50 pm | 21 comments
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Viewing 21 comments
Jon February 01, 2011 10:37 pm
Looked like an entertaining game, and what a crowd for a warm up game.
Can any Saffers fill me in on the story with the Southern Kings, in terms of what comp they'll play in leading up to 2013?
Will they play in the Currie Cup?
Can any Saffers fill me in on the story with the Southern Kings, in terms of what comp they'll play in leading up to 2013?
Will they play in the Currie Cup?
T-Rex February 01, 2011 11:05 pm
This looks like it would have been a cracker of a match
Anonymous February 01, 2011 11:11 pm
Not being racist but those black guys were fucking fast. Blues number 11, Kings 11 & 13.
Anonymous February 01, 2011 11:21 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Kings
They are in the Currie cup and could be set to join the "Super16" in 2013 but doubt it as the Lions tour is around at that time.
(http://www.superxv.com/southernkings/)
They are in the Currie cup and could be set to join the "Super16" in 2013 but doubt it as the Lions tour is around at that time.
(http://www.superxv.com/southernkings/)
Rehanb February 01, 2011 11:22 pm
to jon
they will be playing in the premier division they missed out in hte relegation/promotion matches and will have to wait for next season to get another crack at the currie cup
they will be playing in the premier division they missed out in hte relegation/promotion matches and will have to wait for next season to get another crack at the currie cup
granite February 02, 2011 12:01 am
some talent and speed there. But how many super rugby players were in the bulls squad? Couldn't recognise anyone
VictorSoCalRuggger February 02, 2011 1:05 am
does monty dumond play for the southern kings now??? is he done with the natal sharks? if so y?
Anonymous February 02, 2011 1:13 am
grey and nelson both looked super speedy. can't wait for super rugby!
EARugbyFan February 02, 2011 1:34 am
That pace looked blistering.
However, I am wondering if that video may have been sped up just a little?
For one thing, the pitch looked really soggy and these guys were still absolutely flying.
If I was Paul Treu I would want those centers on my Roster ASAP.
The atmosphere was also excellent.
However, I am wondering if that video may have been sped up just a little?
For one thing, the pitch looked really soggy and these guys were still absolutely flying.
If I was Paul Treu I would want those centers on my Roster ASAP.
The atmosphere was also excellent.
matt February 02, 2011 2:24 am
RD, any chance of the England Saxons vs Italy game being put up? Cant find it anywhere! Thanks alot
Tom February 02, 2011 2:46 am
EARugby Fan, are you seriously asking if they sped up the broadcast?
Really?
So you think they had the broadcast going at a normal speed then when the quick players got the ball, they sped it up for those five seconds, then slowed it back down to normal speed?????
WTF man?
Those guys are just really, really fast players.
There's alot of great athletes in South African rugby, the problem with some of these guys is their skills and defence. In terms of natural athletic ability, they are outstanding.
Really?
So you think they had the broadcast going at a normal speed then when the quick players got the ball, they sped it up for those five seconds, then slowed it back down to normal speed?????
WTF man?
Those guys are just really, really fast players.
There's alot of great athletes in South African rugby, the problem with some of these guys is their skills and defence. In terms of natural athletic ability, they are outstanding.
Wolfman21 February 02, 2011 3:21 am
A couple of things - from my understanding, the pitch is essentially built on sand, meaning that it looks ugly and cuts up easily. That explains the "soggy" look of the field.
The Sharks have bought a number of inside backs recently, with Monty Dumond shifting to the Kings as he would struggle to get a look in at the Sharks.
The Bulls team was essentially a 2nd/3rd team made up mostly of Vodacom Cup players, u21 players and some with Currie Cup experience. It was a nice win for the Kings, but says nothing about their readiness for Super rugby.
The Kings will be playing a lot of warm up games and exhibition games over the next couple of years, and will be playing in what is essentially the second division of the Currie Cup after they didn't get promoted last year. I think they will be playing as their different unions in the Vodacom cup.
South Africa has, in the past, struggled to have 4 competitive Super rugby teams, let alone 5, so I am not sure if having a sixth team has much merit to it.
The Sharks have bought a number of inside backs recently, with Monty Dumond shifting to the Kings as he would struggle to get a look in at the Sharks.
The Bulls team was essentially a 2nd/3rd team made up mostly of Vodacom Cup players, u21 players and some with Currie Cup experience. It was a nice win for the Kings, but says nothing about their readiness for Super rugby.
The Kings will be playing a lot of warm up games and exhibition games over the next couple of years, and will be playing in what is essentially the second division of the Currie Cup after they didn't get promoted last year. I think they will be playing as their different unions in the Vodacom cup.
South Africa has, in the past, struggled to have 4 competitive Super rugby teams, let alone 5, so I am not sure if having a sixth team has much merit to it.
good grief February 02, 2011 7:47 am
I hate to say it, but this is just one more piece of evidence that shows how South Africa is an unstoppable force in rugby (unfortunately!)...
A team like the Southern Kings that isn't in the S14, nor even the Currie Cup can have that much talent...
Ireland, on the other hand, have basically four sides to pick players from. South Africa just have so many teams to pick players from, it's incredible.
A team like the Southern Kings that isn't in the S14, nor even the Currie Cup can have that much talent...
Ireland, on the other hand, have basically four sides to pick players from. South Africa just have so many teams to pick players from, it's incredible.
Anonymous February 02, 2011 10:48 am
@ good grief - south africa have 6 teams, ireland have 4. As previously stated, s africa struggle to have 4 COMPETITIVE teams, the kings may join the s 16 but they will be whipping boys for quite a while I imagine.
dutchrugbyplayer February 02, 2011 4:43 pm
Is it because of the size of my screen or are those guys reeeeaaaalllllyyyyy fast...????
Jon February 02, 2011 10:14 pm
Yeah, they are really, really quick.
Problem is there defence more than anything.
This was a fairly free flowing warm up game, filled with players who wouldn't normally be good enough for Super rugby.
Problem is there defence more than anything.
This was a fairly free flowing warm up game, filled with players who wouldn't normally be good enough for Super rugby.
katman February 03, 2011 5:43 am
While many of those Bulls players were "under 21's and Vodacom Cup players", at least 8 of the starting 15, and 10 or 11 of the match squad will feature regularly in the Bulls Super15 match 22's this year. So I don't really buy the 3rd string excuse. They were outplayed by a team with a point to prove, in front of a home crowd hungry for top flight rugby (which they haven't had since the days of Danie Gerber). Even more amazing is that the Lions (perennial Super Rugby wooden spooners) beat a full strength Sharks team by 41 to 10 the other night. Now that should serve as a wake up call to the so-called favourites.
good grief February 03, 2011 7:25 am
@Anonymous:
There's quite a few more team than that in the Currie Cup and the Vodacom Cup, both of which have plenty of very talented players; that was the point being made.
There's quite a few more team than that in the Currie Cup and the Vodacom Cup, both of which have plenty of very talented players; that was the point being made.
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