Update #24
And that is it! Angus Curtis touches down for the final try of the fixture as the full-time hooter blows. Peter Nelson converts it for Ulster and the final score is Isuzu Southern Kings 7-28 Ulster. Thank you for joining us for Grocott’s Mail’s coverage of the Isuzu Southern Kings’ first home match of the Guinness Pro14 season, against Ulster from Northern Ireland. The visitors have emerged victorious over the hosts in front of a home crowd totaling 5096 Pro14 fans. The Guinness Pro14 Man of The Match is South Africa’s own Marcell Coetzee, who will no doubt be happy with his accolade as well as playing in his home-country in front of welcoming fans.
Update #23
8 minutes before the end of the match the Kings make the following changes: Alandre Van Rooyen, Xandre Vos, Lubabalo Mtyanda and Ntabeni Dukisa are all on the field for The Kings.
Update #22
Another try for Ulster through Angus Kernohan, who has only been on the field for a few minutes. The try is unconverted and Rob Herring as well as Bill Burns are taken off for Ulster, with Adam McBurney and Angus Curtis replacing the Ulster players. Ulster are leading the Kings 21-7 now.
Update #21
Ulster has made another change. Craig Gilroy is taken off and Angus Kernohan is on as a direct replacement at right wing.
Update #20
In the 60th minute, Marcell Coetzee, dives over the try-line following a successful mauling effort by Ulster. Bill Burns nails the conversion from wide out and the score is now Kings 7-16 Ulster.
Update #19
The past 8 minutes have been quiet, however Ulster have been applying pressure in The Kings’ 22 and seem dead set on leaving with a try, following their decision to scrum on a penalty 15m from the side-line, and 5m in front of the try-line. The scrum collapsed and Ulster have opted to scrum again.
Update #18
Kings make a change in Luvuyo Pupuma coming off for Justin Forwood. 30 minutes left of the Second half and Ulster are leading the hosts 9-7.
Update #17
Change made in the Ulster again. Andy Warwick is replaced by Eric O’Sullivan for Ulster and their captain is back on the pitch too.
Update #16
Ulster has made a change on the pitch and Tom O’Toole is off, with Weihahn Herbst coming on.
Update #15
2 minutes in the second half and the Southern Kings skipper Michael Willemse darts over the line following a successful maul by his forward pack. Masixole Banda sticks the conversion and it is now Kings 7-9 Ulster.
Update #14
And the second half is underway! Masixole Banda of the Isuzu Southern Kings kicks the ball into Ulster’s half following the ref’s whistle and it is The Kings in possession following a penalty forfeited by Ulster deep in their half.Ulster are 9-0 ahead with the second half having just begun. Ulster are currently reduced to 14 men following their captain being sent to the sin bin on the stroke of half-time.
Update #13
And it is Isuzu Southern Kings 0-9 Ulster at half-time. With Ulster’s captain in the sin bin for the first 10 minutes of the second half, it is sure to be an interesting 40 minutes of play. This is Grocott’s Mail’s coverage of the Isuzu Southern Kings’ first home match of the Gunness Pro14 season, against Ulster from Northern Ireland. We will be producing live updates for the second half of the game, as well as a match report following the game. Enjoy!
Update #12
In the last minute of the first half, a yellow card is given to Ulster captain Rob Herring.
Update #11
Alan O’Connor returns to the field and both teams are back to 15 men. The Kings’ pressure on Ulster has not paid off as Ulster receive a penalty on their try-line. John Cooney is replaced by David Shanahan to be treated for bleeding with 7 minutes left to play in the first half.
Update #10
10 minutes to play and Martinus Burger is back on the pitch, and The Kings have been applying pressure deep in Ulster’s half.
Update #9
Another penalty received by the Ulsters on the Kings’ 22. John Cooney managed to secure it and the score now is 9-0 in favour of the Ulsters.
Update #8
The TMO’s decision is no-try, and Alan O’Connor will receive a yellow card. 17 minutes left of the first half, Kings 0-6 Ulster
Update #7
A minute later, John Cooney has just touched down adding to the Ulsters’ score, The TMO is currently investigating possible foul play in the lead up to the try, more to follow.
Update #6
20 minutes into the first half and The Kings’ Martinus Burger has just received a yellow card for continuously slowing down the ruck.
Update #5
Ulster convert again via John Cooney, The score is now 6-0 to Ulster after 10 minutes of play in Port Elizabeth.
Update #5
Ulster 3-0 Kings. After 5 minutes, pressure in the Kings 22 pays off and John Cooney converts a penalty thanks to a rucking fault by the Kings. More to follow
Update #4
And the match has begun! Sam Grove-White blows his whistle and Bill Burns gets us underway with a deep kick, resulting in the Kings knocking the ball on in their 22. Scrum to follow
Update #3
Here is your Ulster team for today:
Starting XV: Nelson Peter, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Henry Speight, Bill Burns, John Cooney, Nick Timoney, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee, Keiran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor, Tom O’Toole, Rob herring (C), Andy Warwick.
Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Weihahn Herbst, Jean Deysel, Matthew Rea, David Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Angus Kernohan.
Head Coach: Dan McFarland
Update #2
Here is your Isuzu Southern Kings team for today:
Starting XV: Michael Botha, Yaw Penxe, Harlon Klaasen, Berton Klaasen, Bjorn Basson, Masixole Banda, Golden Masimla, Andisa Ntsila, Martinus Burger, Stephan de Witt, Bobby Dee Wee, John-Charles Astle, Luvuyo Pupuma, Michael Willemse (captain), Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: Alandre van Rooyen, Xandre Vos, Justin Forwood, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Ruaan Lerm, Rudi van Rooyen, Martin du Toit, Dukisa Ntabeni.
Head Coach: Deon Davids
Update #1
Good afternoon and welcome to Grocott’s Mail’s coverage of the Isuzu Southern Kings’ first home match of the Gunness Pro14 season, against Ulster from Northern Ireland. The Kings will look to bounce back from two opening defeats in their first two rounds of the 2018/2019 season.