A late try from Elgar Watts gave the Kings their first win of the Super Rugby season and condemned the newly created Sunwolves to an 0-5 record.
Final score
Kings 33
Sunwolves 28
The Sunwolves take on the Kings in their first Super Rugby fixture away from home. Can the Japanese side make it a win, or will the South Africans trump them on home soil to record their first win of 2016? Join The Roar from 2:05am (AEDT) for live coverage and scores.
Over the last three games, the Kings have conceded a combined total of 157 points, all of which have come from teams that reside outside South Africa.
It doesn’t look any brighter heading into the match against the Super Rugby new boys, with Sunwolves’ flyhalf Tusi Pisi kicking with 94 per cent accuracy.
Still, this is the Kings’ best opportunity for a number of weeks – if not seasons.
Coach Deon Davids has made two changes to the team that lost to the Hurricanes by 22 points last weekend. Number 8 Aidan Davis enters the starting line-up, replacing Jacques Engelbrecht, while winger Luzuko Vulindlu, who is out with concussion, has his spot taken by Siyanda Grey.
By contrast, the Sunwolves have made numerous changes. Prop Shinnosuke Kakinaga, Australian Ed Quirk, and 26-year-old lock Tim Bond have forced their way into the starting line-up, relegating Takuma Asahera, Yoshiya Hosoda and Tomas Leonardi to the bench. Also, Liaki Moli shifts to blindside flanker after starting at lock in Round 6.
Get set for either one of two outcomes – a free-flowing game of running rugby with both teams not afraid to spread the ball from right to left, or a kicking duel where penalty attempts are the way to go.
Prediction
Even though this game will be played in South Africa, I don’t see the Kings trumping the Sunwolves.
Sunwolves by 5.
Charging Rhino
Guest
Very happy for the Kings. Pretty much everyone has been against them, and everything that can go wrong in a rugby franchise has gone wrong with the Kings. They've been screwed over, not paid for months, been mocked, mismanagement scandals Etc Etc. They have a bunch of no-name players and they stood up to register their first win and build some morale in their camp & city. Well done.
Harry Jones
Expert
I got a ferocious and manly tear in my eye when Elgar scored. These boys were screwed by administrator, not paid for months, laughed at, set up to fail. Good show, Kings!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Kings - 33 Sunwolves - 28 What an exciting game! Very attacking heavy, with the first half falling in the favour of the Kings to start with - moving more towards the Sunwolves at the end of the first half and then most definitely in the second half. Both teams played very well, showcasing all the skills they have. Arguably, the Sunwolves should have come away winners particularly in the second half where they had numerous phases with 6+. Both teams have areas they need to improve in, but they can both take positives out of the fixture. Thanks for tuning in guys, hope you enjoyed the coverage. Was falling asleep a bit, so, sorry about that!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'80 - TRY! Yamada finishes the game strong for the Sunwolves, crossing in the corner. Pisi misses the conversion attempt. Kings - 33 Sunwolves - 28
DaniE
Roar Guru
WTH. This last two minutes of the game are mad.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'79 - TRY! Elgar Watts (replacement) looks to have sealed the game for the Kings. What a win this will be to register their first of the season. The Kings should just run down the clock. Try converted. Kings - 33 Sunwolves - 23
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'77 - The majority of the second half has been played down in the Kings' half, but to no avail for the Sunwolves who have only come away with 3 points. Great contest from both sides.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'72 - OBSTRUCTION! The Sunwolves are penalised for obstruction 5m out from the Kings' line. Amazing defence from the Kings to keep them out. They Sunwolves have been camped out in the territory of the Kings, but have no points to show for it.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'70 - Off the scrum, an important penalty is received by the Sunwolves. An interesting decision is made with 10 mins on the clock - another scrum. This is an area where the Kings have been far superior. Free-kick to the Sunwolves and they opt for another scrum!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'68 - Tusi Pisi charges down the ball off the attacking Kings scrum. A foot-race ensued with Kings flanker Cloete getting their just before Pisi. However, it is a 5m scrum for the Sunwolves.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'66 - Great defence from the Kings! Unbelievable in fact. They prevent and withstand endless attack from the Sunwolves, gathering a penalty for their defensive efforts. Fouche clears them out of danger.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'63 - An excellent ball-and-all tackle from the Kings propels Viljoen backwards. The ball is ripped from the Sunwolves but a penalty is given to them 5m out. Another penalty is given a few tackles later in a similar position, still 5m out from the Kings line, for Velleman tackling without grasping the player. Lucky to stay on the field given the penalties he's been pinged for throughout the match.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'62 - From the restart, the Sunwolves create panic by kicking deep into Kings territory, and receiving the turnover.5m scrum to the Sunwolves. Can they score?
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'60 - Lovely kick from Fouche from right on halfway to put the Kings in front. Who will get their first point of the season? Kings - 26 Sunwolves - 23
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'55 - Silly penalty given away by the Kings in kicking territory. The new man Cloete is penalised for playing the halfback, and then they're walked 10m further back for throwing the ball away to prevent a quick tap. Pisi opts to take the three points and nails it. Kings - 23 Sunwolves - 23
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'52 - Countless phases of Sunwolves is a diffused by Velleman, who sees an opportunity to bounce and takes it with both hands. Within his teams own 22m line, he creates the turnover with ease. Fouche finds a good touch-finder.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'47 - The Sunwolves get the turnover right on their own try-line. What a play from the Sunwolves to stop a certain try. The Sunwolves manage to clear their line really well through Pisi. It's a close game, as close as many would have expected. Lets see who will come out on top!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'45 - A dangerous period for the Sunwolves with their line under threat. Jaer nearly busted through the line with some fancy footwork 10m out, followed by a charge down from the Kings. Pisi is forced to clear from on his dead-ball line. Doesn't get much distance.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'42 - Off the scrum, a kicking duel ensues. The Sunwolves come out on top after a wonderful kick from Pisi and an ordinary reply from Fouche. From the lineout though, the Sunwolves get the ball turned over deep within the Kings 22,
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'41 - AND THE REFEREE IS DOWN! Little bit of a niggle for ref Rasta Rasivhenge, but he's back up again and there's a scrum for the Sunwolves just outside their own 22m line.