Sharks rout clueless Kings
The eight-try rout meant the Sharks remained within two points of the table-topping Lions.
Finishing first is vital as it guarantees a home quarter-final while only one of the two Africa conferences runners-up advance to the knockout stage.
The Sharks were not flawless, but deserve credit for the manner in which they dealt with a Kings team devoid of skill and tactical nous.
Thirteen rounds into the expanded 18-franchise Super Rugby competition there is talk among the organisers of changes for the 2018 season.
One suggestion is an expanded two-tier competition and anyone wanting to push that viewpoint need only acquire a video of this mismatch at Kings Park stadium in Indian Ocean port Durban.
Sharks skipper and flyhalf Patrick Lambie triggered the rout with an eighth-minute try and the hosts scored five more before half-time.
The Kings displayed more fight after a half-time tongue lashing from coach Deon Davids and restricted the Sharks to two second-half tries, neither of which Lambie could convert.
But the result was another embarrassment for a Port Elizabeth team composed of raw talent and rejects from other South African franchises.
Should the organisers go the two-tier route, the Kings are certain to be a second division side.
They are the only team to have lost 10 matches so far this season and the only one to have conceded more than 500 points.
They share with fellow newcomers, the Japanese Sunwolves, the grim record of only one victory, but the Tokyo-based franchise have gained five points more than the Kings.
After Lambie opened the scoring, he kicked his only penalty of the match before the floodgates opened.
Outside centre Paul Jordaan, fullback Willie le Roux, Jordaan again, inside centre Andre Esterhuizen and wing JP Pietersen scored tries and Lambie converted all five.
Lambie claimed his second try nine minutes after half-time and lifted his match tally to 23 points by racing unopposed down the wing to score in the corner.
With the game long finished as a contest there was only one further score as replacement prop Thomas du Toit used his massive physique to barge over.
The Kings host fellow strugglers the Argentine Jaguares next Friday, while the Sharks have a bye with their next fixture only on July 2 after the June Tests 'window'.
Man of the match: Not too many Kings put up their hands, some half-heartedly. Willie le Roux relished the open expanses afforded to him, Paul Jordaan showed some of the pace that earned him Springbok colours on the Sevens circuit and the forwards all had a field day against the inferior opposition. However, our award goes to Sharks captain and flyhalf Patrick Lambie – who was at the heart of everything that was food about the demolition, scoring 23 points in the process (through two tries, five conversions and a penalty).
The scorers:
For the Sharks:
Tries: Lambie 2, Jordaan 2, Le Roux, Esterhuizen, Pietersen, Du Toit
Cons: Lambie 5
Pens: Lambie
For the Kings:
None
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie (captain), 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Mahlatse Ralepelle, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Garth April, 23 Odwa Ndungane.
Southern Kings: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Stefan Willemse, 5 Schalk Oelofse, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Ferreira , 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Tom Botha, 19 John-Charles Astle, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Leighton Eksteen.
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Rodney Bonaparte, Archie Sehlako
TMO: Marius Jonker
