PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 25: Sintu Manjezi of the Cheetahs during the Guinness Pro14 match between Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Coach Kempson left angry as Kings let another match slip away
There were contrasting emotions in the Cheetahs and Southern Kings camps following the dramatic PRO14 derby between the sides at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in which a brave comeback allowed the Free Staters to edge through 31-30.
PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 25: Sintu Manjezi of the Cheetahs during the Guinness Pro14 match between Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Southern Kings coach Robbie Kempson was an angry man after his team failed to convert a 30-12 lead into victory in a Pro14 South African derby.
The Free State Cheetahs fought back to win the encounter in Port Elizabeth 31-30 adding to a long list of missed opportunities this season for the Kings.
The Cheetahs win kept them in the hunt for the playoffs in the European competition that includes teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa.
Kings’ Kempson angry not heartbroken
Kempson’s Kings are at the wrong end of their conference and the coach was left to lament his team’s mistakes.
“It’s probably more anger than heartbreak,” said Kempson. “That is a game we could have and should have won, but we didn’t. Individual mistakes cost the team, and we have to look at those and make adjustments for the sake of the team, as that is much more important than the individual.
“All their points came from our mistakes.
“I think we had the upper hand on defence, and physically we were harder than them and you could see that from the number of guys who went off the field.”
Relief for the Cheetahs
Kempson’s counterpart Hawies Fourie was a relieved man after his team pulled off the comeback. The Cheetahs were lifted by Springbok scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar coming off the bench.
“We expected it to be a tight game, but I hoped it wouldn’t be that close,” said Fourie. “It is always a dogfight here. The Kings played really well.
“We made a lot of mistakes that earned them points, especially in the first half. There were three soft tries and that made the game difficult for us.”
Pienaar has been a revelation since returning to South Africa for the 2019 Currie Cup and slotted two late conversions including the match-winning kick.
Commenting on Pienaar’s influence, Fourie said: “It is great to have a guy with that sort of experience. I trusted him to take that kick. It was the difference between five points and two points, so it was a really important kick for us.”
Fourie feels that the Kings are a team making progress and gave them credit for their play at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“I feel that they dominated the contact on attack and defence, especially in the first half, and their lineout functioned well. They had us under pressure for moments in the game.
“They are definitely making progress, and there is a nice vibe in the camp, so they will do well going forward.”
Click here for the full match report from SA Rugby.
Tags:
