Kings re-write record books

Records a plenty on a special Saturday evening in Port Elizabeth as the Kings became the first debutant winners beating the Force 22-10.

The Kings became the first debutant winner of the last four teams that joined Super Rugby – in 2006 the Force lost 10-25 to Brumbies and the Cheetahs lost 18-30 to Bulls, and in 2011 the Waratahs crushed the Rebels 43-0 in the Melburnians’ debut.

There was another record in the Nelson Mandela Bay – at 18 years and 206 days old, Sergeal Petersen became the youngest South African to play Super Rugby since 1997 (eighth youngest ever) and to make his debut even more special, last year’s Craven Week Player of the Tournament scored two tries (fifth youngest try-scorer ever).

Previously, the youngest South African to feature in Super Rugby was former Springbok back Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who made his debut for The Sharks on 4 April 1997 against the Hurricanes in Durban, two days before his 19th birthday.

More on Sergeal Peterson

Born: 01.08.94, Humansdorp

Physical: 1.72m, 80kg

He played for Eastern Province at all youth levels, representing them at the 2007 Under 13 Craven Week, the 2010 Under 16 Grant Khomo Week (scoring three tries in three games) and in the 2012 Under 18 Craven Week (scoring four tries in three games). The latter performance earned him inclusion in the SA Schools team that played against France, Wales and England in August 2012. Despite interest from several other teams, he signed a contract with the Kings starting from 2013. Peterson also excelled in athletics, representing South Africa at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics in the 100m and long jump events.

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In the two South African derbies played in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, it was two Springbok flyhalves that dominated proceedings. Morné Steyn and Pat Lambie both kicked seven from seven in their respective matches.

The Bulls started the local season with a 25-17 win over the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening, with Steyn kicking 20 points against the team that won the SA Conference in 2011 and 2012.

The Sharks, runners up last year, were too good for a resurgent Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium on Saturday afternoon, winning 29-22 with Lambie contributing 19 points.

A WRAP of the SA games in round 1:

Bulls 25 (9) Stormers 17 (0)

Bulls – Try: Chiliboy Ralepelle. Conversion: Morné Steyn. Penalty goals: Steyn (6).

Stormers – Tries: Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker. Conversions: Joe Pietersen (2). Penalty goal: Pietersen.

Cheetahs 22 (5) Sharks 29 (16)

Cheetahs – Tries: Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Johann Sadie. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2). Penalty goal: Goosen.

Sharks – Tries: Lwazi Mvovo, Marcell Coetzee. Conversions: Pat Lambie (2). Penalty goals: Lambie (5).

Kings 22 (5) Force 10 (10)

Kings –Tries: Sergeal Petersen (2). Penalty goals: Dimitri Catrakilis (4).

Force – Tries: Pek Cowan, Alfi Mafi.

Other results:

Reds 25 Waratahs 17 (Brisbane)

Hurricanes 20 Blues 34 (Wellington)

Rebels 13 Brumbies 30 (Melbourne)

Highlanders 27 Chiefs 41 (Dunedin)