Boland power past EP Kings in Currie Cup

The Boland Cavaliers’ superior conditioning and organisation saw them dispatch the Eastern Province Kings in a 28-10 bonus-point victory in Port Elizabeth.

The EP Kings were always going to find it difficult to be competitive immediately as administration problems saw them only come together as a squad on Monday.

While they were able to field a reasonable team on paper, their lack of preparation was evident as they battled to find each other on attack, while the forwards weren’t cohesive as a unit at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Two yellow cards – one in each half, to lock Tazz Fuzani and wing Alcino Isaacs respectively – didn’t help the Kings’ cause either and Boland took full advantage.

The Wellington-based team were initially unable to convert a few early chances, and there were no points until the 24th minute when hard-working lock Shaun ‘Klip’ McDonald put his team on the front foot with a typically belligerent charge.

The ball got back to captain and centre Ryan Nell, who drew the defence and gave the inside pass to wing Sergio Torrens, who had enough pace and power to open the scoring.

EP tried to stay in touch with two penalty attempts at goal, but flyhalf Kobus Marais was off the mark with both kicks. It was a case of third time lucky as Marais put one through the uprights in the 35th minute, so the home side would’ve been pleased to go into the break just 7-3 down.

But Boland upped the ante in the second half, with the ever-influential No 4 McDonald again the talisman as he provided the necessary momentum with a strong run up the middle.

The Cavaliers put the resultant penalty into touch five metres out, and impressive No 8 Zandré Jordaan was rewarded with a five-pointer to secure his team’s first win after losing to the Cheetahs last week.

Once EP No 14 Isaacs went off for 10 minutes for taking out a player in the air in the 59th minute, Boland put the foot on the accelerator to clinch a four-try bonus point as centre Christopher Bosch and flank Kenan Cronjé added the finishing touches.

The Kings didn’t give up, though, and managed to score their only try in the 75th minute as hard-running centre Johan Tromp held off a defender to go over after quick hands from the backline.

Final Score EP Kings 10 Boland Cavaliers 28

Scorers

EP Kings
Try: Johan Tromp.
Conversion: Lungelo Goza
Penalty: Kobus Marais

Boland Cavaliers
Tries: Sergio Torrens, Zandré Jordaan, Christopher Bosch, Kenan Cronjé
Conversions: Nico Pretorius (4).