2017–18 Southern Kings season

In the 2017–18 rugby union season, the Southern Kings participated in the Pro14 competition, their inaugural appearance in the competition after losing their Super Rugby status after the 2017 season. They finished bottom of the seven-team Conference B, winning just one of their 21 matches. Masixole Banda was the team's top scorer in the competition with 40 points, while winger Yaw Penxe was the top try scorer with five tries.

Southern Kings

2017–18 season
Head coach	Deon Davids
Captains	Mike Willemse, Schalk Ferreira and Jacques Nel
Stadium	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Conference B	7th
Record	Won 1, Lost 20
Top try scorer	All: Yaw Penxe (5)
Top points scorer	All: Masixole Banda (40)
Home colours Away colours
← 2017 2018–19 →

Personnel

Coaches and management

The Kings coaching and management staff for the 2017–18 Pro14 season were:

2017–18 Kings coaches and management
Position	Name
Head coach	Deon Davids
Forwards coach	Barend Pieterse
Backs coach	Chumani Booi
Kicking coach	Henning van der Merwe

Squad

The Kings' squad for the 2017–18 Pro14 is:[1][2][3]

2017–18 Kings squad
Player	Position/s	Date of birth (age)	Pro12		Kings
			Apps	Pts	Apps	Pts
Lusanda Badiyana	Flank	(1996-09-01)1 September 1996 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Tango Balekile	Hooker	(1996-03-07)7 March 1996 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Masixole Banda	Fullback / Fly-half	(1988-06-11)11 June 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Alshaun Bock	Wing	(1982-05-16)16 May 1982 (aged 34)	–	–	–	–
Eital Bredenkamp	Flank	(1993-01-28)28 January 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Tienie Burger	Flank	(1993-11-01)1 November 1993 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Stephan Coetzee	Hooker	(1992-01-09)9 January 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Kurt Coleman	Fly-half	(1990-01-29)29 January 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Rossouw de Klerk	Prop	(1989-08-21)21 August 1989 (aged 28)	14	5	–	–
Bobby de Wee	Lock	(1994-02-04)4 February 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Pieter-Steyn de Wet	Fly-half	(1991-01-08)8 January 1991 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Martin Dreyer	Prop	(1988-08-25)25 August 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Martin du Toit	Fly-half / Centre	(1989-06-27)27 June 1989 (aged 28)	–	–	–	–
Ntabeni Dukisa	Utility back	(1988-07-25)25 July 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Schalk Ferreira	Prop	(1984-02-09)9 February 1984 (aged 33)	–	–	–	–
Justin Forwood	Prop	(1993-09-19)19 September 1993 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Rowan Gouws	Scrum-half	(1995-08-06)6 August 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Stephan Greeff	Lock	(1989-12-24)24 December 1989 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Njabulo Gumede	Prop	(1995-01-03)3 January 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Benhard Janse van Rensburg	Fly-half	(1997-01-14)14 January 1997 (aged 20)	–	–	–	–
Berton Klaasen	Centre	(1990-01-24)24 January 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Harlon Klaasen	Centre / Wing	(1993-08-13)13 August 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Ruaan Lerm	Number eight	(1992-03-25)25 March 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Khaya Majola	Flank	(1992-03-13)13 March 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Mzamo Majola	Prop	(1995-02-20)20 February 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Michael Makase	Wing	(1990-01-20)20 January 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Godlen Masimla	Scrum-half	(1992-08-11)11 August 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Siya Mdaka	Flank	(1988-02-14)14 February 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Giant Mtyanda	Lock	(1986-03-19)19 March 1986 (aged 31)	–	–	–	–
Jacques Nel	Centre	(1993-03-17)17 March 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Freddy Ngoza	Flank	(1991-10-20)20 October 1991 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Andisa Ntsila	Loose forward	(1993-11-07)7 November 1993 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Yaw Penxe	Outside back	(1997-04-03)3 April 1997 (aged 20)	–	–	–	–
Luvuyo Pupuma	Prop	(1992-10-16)16 October 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
JC Roos	Fly-half	(1990-09-12)12 September 1990 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Jarryd Sage	Centre	(1995-08-18)18 August 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Pieter Scholtz	Prop	(1994-03-20)20 March 1994 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Victor Sekekete	Flank	(1994-01-28)28 January 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
S'bura Sithole	Wing	(1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Joe Smith	Prop	(1991-12-02)2 December 1991 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
JP Smith	Scrum-half	(1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Piet-Louw Strauss	Prop	(1994-03-15)15 March 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Entienne Swanepoel	Prop	(1993-03-09)9 March 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Dayan van der Westhuizen	Prop	(1994-04-05)5 April 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Alandré van Rooyen	Hooker	(1996-08-23)23 August 1996 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Rudi van Rooyen	Scrum-half	(1992-01-05)5 January 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Dries van Schalkwyk	Lock / Number eight	(1984-12-21)21 December 1984 (aged 32)	76	100	–	–
Jurie van Vuuren	Lock / Flank	(1993-06-07)7 June 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
CJ Velleman	Flank	(1995-02-24)24 February 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Anthony Volmink	Wing	(1990-02-10)10 February 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Luzuko Vulindlu	Centre	(1987-11-14)14 November 1987 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Lindokuhle Welemu	Lock	(1991-04-29)29 April 1991 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Mike Willemse	Hooker	(1993-02-14)14 February 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Oliver Zono	Fly-half	(1991-11-26)26 November 1991 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 2 September 2017, the date of the opening round of the competition. Pro14 appearances only.

Player movements

Player movements between the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season and the end of the 2017–18 Pro14 season are as follows:

Southern Kings transfers 2017–2018
Pos	2017 squad	Out	In	2017–18 squad
PR	Schalk Ferreira[4] Justin Forwood[4] Ross Geldenhuys[5] Chris Heiberg[6] Mzamo Majola[7] Schalk van der Merwe[8] Dayan van der Westhuizen[5]	Ross Geldenhuys (to Sharks)[9] Chris Heiberg (released)[10] Schalk van der Merwe (to Ulster)[11]	Rossouw de Klerk (from Colomiers)[12] Martin Dreyer (from Bulls)[13] Njabulo Gumede (from Blue Bulls)[13] Luvuyo Pupuma (from Golden Lions)[1] Pieter Scholtz (from Pumas)[12] Joe Smith (from Leopards)[14] Piet-Louw Strauss (from Western Province)[15] Entienne Swanepoel (from Stade Français)[16]	Rossouw de Klerk Martin Dreyer Schalk Ferreira[10] Justin Forwood[12] Njabulo Gumede Mzamo Majola[17] Luvuyo Pupuma Pieter Scholtz Joe Smith Piet-Louw Strauss Entienne Swanepoel Dayan van der Westhuizen[14]
HK	Tango Balekile (did not play)[18] Martin Bezuidenhout[4] Kurt Haupt[19] Mike Willemse[4]	Martin Bezuidenhout (to Bourgoin-Jallieu)[20] Kurt Haupt (returned to SWD Eagles)[10]	Stephan Coetzee (from Sharks)[21] Alandré van Rooyen (from Blue Bulls)[13]	Tango Balekile[10] Stephan Coetzee Alandré van Rooyen Mike Willemse[16]
LK	Irné Herbst[6] Cameron Lindsay (did not play)[4] Sintu Manjezi (did not play)[6] Giant Mtyanda[22] Wandile Putuma (did not play)[6] Wilhelm van der Sluys[23] Mzwanele Zito[18]	Irné Herbst (returned to Bulls)[24] Cameron Lindsay (to Pumas)[25] Sintu Manjezi (to Griquas)[26] Wandile Putuma (returned to Griquas)[26] Wilhelm van der Sluys (to Exeter Chiefs)[27] Mzwanele Zito (returned to Griquas)[26]	Bobby de Wee (from Golden Lions)[10] Stephan Greeff (from Pumas)[10] Freddy Ngoza (from Blue Bulls)[13] Dries van Schalkwyk (from Zebre)[28] Jurie van Vuuren (from Western Province)[12] Lindokuhle Welemu (from Border Bulldogs)[12]	Bobby de Wee Stephan Greeff Giant Mtyanda[10] Freddy Ngoza Dries van Schalkwyk Jurie van Vuuren Lindokuhle Welemu
FL	Thembelani Bholi[29] Chris Cloete[30] Andisa Ntsila[30] Tyler Paul[31] CJ Velleman (did not play)[32] Stefan Willemse[30]	Thembelani Bholi (to Pumas)[25] Chris Cloete (returned to Pumas)[33] Tyler Paul (to Sharks)[34] Stefan Willemse (to Pumas)[35]	Eital Bredenkamp (from Western Province)[12] Tienie Burger (from Free State Cheetahs)[10] Khaya Majola (from Sharks)[10] Siya Mdaka (from Border Bulldogs)[12] Victor Sekekete (from Golden Lions)[10]	Eital Bredenkamp Tienie Burger Khaya Majola Siya Mdaka Andisa Ntsila[12] Victor Sekekete CJ Velleman[10]
N8	Christiaan de Bruin (did not play)[30] Ruaan Lerm[36]	Christiaan de Bruin (released)[10]	Lusanda Badiyana (from Eastern Province Kings)[10]	Lusanda Badiyana Ruaan Lerm[12]
SH	Louis Schreuder[37] Ricky Schroeder[4] Johan Steyn[30] Stefan Ungerer[7] Rudi van Rooyen[18]	Louis Schreuder (to Sharks)[34] Ricky Schroeder (released)[10] Johan Steyn (returned to SWD Eagles)[10] Stefan Ungerer (to Pumas)[25]	Rowan Gouws (from Sharks)[1] Godlen Masimla (from Stormers)[10] JP Smith (from Cheetahs)[38]	Rowan Gouws Godlen Masimla JP Smith Rudi van Rooyen[10]
FH	Lionel Cronjé[30] Pieter-Steyn de Wet[4] Garrick Mattheus (did not play)[6]	Lionel Cronjé (to Toyota Verblitz)[39] Garrick Mattheus (released)[10]	Kurt Coleman (from Stormers)[10] Martin du Toit (from SWD Eagles)[17] Benhard Janse van Rensburg (from Sharks)[3] JC Roos (from Canon Eagles)[40] Oliver Zono (from Border Bulldogs)[10]	Kurt Coleman Pieter-Steyn de Wet[10] Martin du Toit Benhard Janse van Rensburg JC Roos Oliver Zono
CE	Siyanda Grey (did not play)[31] Stokkies Hanekom[41] Berton Klaasen[4] Neil Maritz (did not play)[42] Waylon Murray[4] Luzuko Vulindlu[30]	Siyanda Grey (released)[10] Stokkies Hanekom (returned to Lions)[43] Neil Maritz (to Pumas)[25] Waylon Murray (to Mâcon)[44]	Harlon Klaasen (from Western Province)[45] Jacques Nel (from Lions)[10] Jarryd Sage (from Golden Lions)[10]	Berton Klaasen[10] Harlon Klaasen Jacques Nel Jarryd Sage Luzuko Vulindlu[10]
WG	Alshaun Bock[18] Malcolm Jaer[31] Makazole Mapimpi[5] Wandile Mjekevu[42] Yaw Penxe[6]	Malcolm Jaer (to Cheetahs)[46] Makazole Mapimpi (to Cheetahs)[47] Wandile Mjekevu (to Toulouse)[48]	Michael Makase (from Border Bulldogs)[10] S'bura Sithole (from Sharks)[10] Anthony Volmink (from Golden Lions)[2]	Alshaun Bock[10] Michael Makase Yaw Penxe[10] S'bura Sithole Anthony Volmink
FB	Masixole Banda[5] Chrysander Botha[4] Ntabeni Dukisa[30] Johann Tromp[4]	Chrysander Botha (released)[10] Johann Tromp (released)[10]		Masixole Banda[10] Ntabeni Dukisa[10]
Coach	Deon Davids[49]			Deon Davids[28]

Standings

The final Conference B log standings are:[50]

2017–18 Pro14 Conference B
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Leinster	21	14	1	6	601	374	+227	83	46	10	2	70
2	Scarlets	21	14	1	6	528	365	+163	69	43	9	3	70
3	Edinburgh	21	15	0	6	494	375	+119	62	44	7	1	68
4	Ulster	21	12	2	7	538	482	+56	68	61	8	2	62
5	Benetton	21	11	0	10	415	451	−36	51	55	6	5	55
6	Dragons	21	2	2	17	378	672	−294	43	94	4	4	20
7	Southern Kings	21	1	0	20	378	829	−451	48	119	4	3	11

Legend and Competition rules
Legend:
	Conference leaders, qualified to play-off semifinals.		P = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TF = Tries For, TA = Tries Against, TB = Try Bonus Points, LB = Losing Bonus Points, Pts = Log Points
	Second and third placed teams, qualified to play-off quarterfinals.
Competition rules:
Qualification: The top team in each conference qualified for the play-off semifinals, while the second and third placed teams qualified for the play-off quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the second-ranked team from each conference had home advantage against the third-ranked team from the other conference, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals. The conference winners had home advantage against the quarterfinal winners in the semifinals, with the two winners qualifying for the final, which was played at a venue decided in advance. Points breakdown: * 4 points for a win * 2 points for a draw * 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match Classification: Teams standings were calculated as follows: * League points * Number of games won * Overall points difference * Number of tries scored * Number of points scored * Overall try difference * Player suspension count * Player yellow card count * Toss of a coin

Round-by-round

The table below shows the Kings' progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the conference position:

Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	R11	R12	R13	R14	R15	R16	R17	R18	R19	R20	R21	QF	SF	Final
Opposition	SCA	CON	LEI	ZEB	DRA	BEN	GLA	ULS	SCA	EDI	EDI	CHE	CHE	ULS	OSP	LEI	DRA	BEN	MUN	CAR	CHE	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cumulative Points	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	9	11	11	11	11	N/A	N/A	N/A
Position	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	7th	N/A	N/A	N/A
Key:	win	draw	loss	bye

Matches

The Southern Kings' matches in their inaugural season in Pro14 are:

	2 September 2017	Scarlets	57–10	Southern Kings	Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
	17:30	Try: Johnny McNicholl  8', 73' Leigh Halfpenny  22' Rhys Patchell  46' Jake Ball  50' Emyr Phillips  62' Hadleigh Parkes  69' Steff Evans  77' Con: Leigh Halfpenny  23', 47', 51' Rhys Patchell  63', 69', 74', 78' Pen: Leigh Halfpenny  36'	Report[51]	Try: Yaw Penxe  11' Con: Kurt Coleman  12' Pen: Kurt Coleman  34'	Attendance: 9,108 Referee: Frank Murphy

	9 September 2017	Connacht	32–10	Southern Kings	Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway
	19:35	Try: Tom Farrell  14' Eoghan Masterson  33' Ultan Dillane  40' Darragh Leader  69' Con: Jack Carty  15', 34', 40' Pen: Jack Carty  26', 47' Cards: Finlay Bealham 52' to 62' John Muldoon  75'	Report[52]	Try: Berton Klaasen  31' Luvuyo Pupuma  77' Cards: S'bura Sithole 11' to 21'	Attendance: 5,104 Referee: Mike Adamson

	16 September 2017	Southern Kings	10–31	Leinster	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	14:15	Try: Jacques Nel  75' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  76' Pen: Masixole Banda  3'	Report[53]	Try: Noel Reid  8' Rory O'Loughlin  42' Jack Conan  47' Joey Carbery  51' Dave Kearney  71' Con: Ross Byrne  9', 48', 53'	Attendance: 3,011 Referee: Ben Whitehouse

	23 September 2017	Southern Kings	17–43	Zebre	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	19:35	Try: Godlen Masimla  50' Luvuyo Pupuma  56' Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet  52', 57' Pen: Pieter-Steyn de Wet  9'	Report[54]	Try: Tommaso Castello  3' Mattia Bellini  4' Renato Giammarioli  20' Tommaso Boni  47' Giulio Bisegni  66' Jacopo Sarto  78' Con: Carlo Canna  3', 22', 48', 67' Serafin Bordoli  79' Pen: Carlo Canna  27'	Attendance: 4,062 Referee: Sean Gallagher

	30 September 2017	Dragons	29–13	Southern Kings	Rodney Parade, Newport
	19:35	Try: Hallam Amos  5', 36' Elliot Dee  32', 41' Con: Gavin Henson  6', 38', 43' Pen: Gavin Henson  15' Cards: Leon Brown 68' to 78' Tom Davies  75'	Report[55]	Try: Andisa Ntsila  56' Con: Pieter-Steyn de Wet  57' Pen: Pieter-Steyn de Wet  3', 20' Cards: Entienne Swanepoel  75'	Attendance: 5,299 Referee: Andrew Brace

	7 October 2017	Benetton	31–3	Southern Kings	Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
	20:00	Try: Angelo Esposito  31' Marco Barbini  45', 74' Cherif Traorè  80' Con: Ian McKinley  80' Pen: Marty Banks  9', 21', 24'	Report[56]	Pen: Pieter-Steyn de Wet  38' Cards: Bobby de Wee 27' to 37'	Attendance: 4,700 Referee: Sean Gallagher

	27 October 2017	Glasgow Warriors	43–13	Southern Kings	Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
	19:35	Try: Stuart Hogg  0' Nikola Matawalu  31' Nick Grigg  34' Zander Fagerson  58' Matt Smith  65' George Horne  71' George Turner  80' Con: Adam Hastings  32', 34' Ruaridh Jackson  72', 80'	Report[57]	Try: Jacques Nel  75' Con: Oliver Zono  75' Pen: Masixole Banda  12', 21' Cards: Jacques Nel  79'	Attendance: 7,351 Referee: Mike Adamson

	4 November 2017	Southern Kings	36–43	Ulster	Wolfson Stadium, KwaZakele
	17:00	Try: Berton Klaasen  3', 62' Yaw Penxe  6', 73' Michael Makase  28' Con: Oliver Zono  7', 29', 63' Kurt Coleman  74' Pen: Oliver Zono  23' Cards: Yaw Penxe 33' to 43'	Report[58]	Try: Sean Reidy  18' John Andrew  26', 49' John Cooney  53' Andrew Trimble  68' Clive Ross  72' Robbie Diack  75' Con: John Cooney  54' Christian Lealiifano  69', 72', 76'	Attendance: 2,836 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	26 November 2017	Southern Kings	30–34	Scarlets	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	15:00	Try: Michael Makase  9' Yaw Penxe  16' Martin du Toit  41' Harlon Klaasen  65' Con: Oliver Zono  42' Kurt Coleman  66' Pen: Oliver Zono  25', 40'	Report[59]	Try: Tadhg Beirne  4' Ioan Nicholas  50' Werner Kruger  56' Dan Jones  69' Con: Dan Jones  5', 52', 57', 70' Pen: Dan Jones  34', 61'	Attendance: 3,619 Referee: Stuart Berry

	1 December 2017	Southern Kings	21–48	Edinburgh	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	19:15	Try: Harlon Klaasen  21' Dries van Schalkwyk  80' Con: Kurt Coleman  23' Pen: Kurt Coleman  12', 29', 38' Cards: Schalk Ferreira 9' to 19' Yaw Penxe 67' to 77'	Report[60]	Try: Fraser McKenzie  3' Viliame Mata  5' Grant Gilchrist  18' Dougie Fife  59' Sam Hidalgo-Clyne  70', 72', 77' Con: Jaco van der Walt  4', 19' Sam Hidalgo-Clyne  70', 73', 77' Pen: Jaco van der Walt  10' Cards: Cornell du Preez  78'	Attendance: 3,600 Referee: Stuart Berry

	5 January 2018	Edinburgh	37–7	Southern Kings	Myreside Stadium, Edinburgh
	19:35	Try: Grant Gilchrist  27' Blair Kinghorn  30' Duhan van der Merwe  57' Cameron Fenton  70' Dougie Fife  78' Con: Jaco van der Walt  31', 58', 70' Pen: Jaco van der Walt  21', 49'	Report[61]	Try: Ntabeni Dukisa  73' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  75'	Attendance: 3,300 Referee: Lloyd Linton

	13 January 2018	Southern Kings	21–45	Cheetahs	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	17:00	Try: Yaw Penxe  7' Eital Bredenkamp  52' penalty try  70' Con: Oliver Zono  9', 53'	Report[62]	Try: Clayton Blommetjies  5' Nico Lee  19', 42', 73' Shaun Venter  31' Jacques du Toit  76' Con: Fred Zeilinga  6', 20', 32', 43', 74', 77' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  13' Cards: Justin Basson 52' to 62' Charles Marais 69' to 79' Junior Pokomela 70' to 80'	Attendance: 6,711 Referee: Stuart Berry

	20 January 2018	Cheetahs	45–24	Southern Kings	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	17:00	Try: Nico Lee  19', 34' Uzair Cassiem  25' Ox Nché  44' Makazole Mapimpi  48' Shaun Venter  52' Con: Fred Zeilinga  21', 26', 34', 45', 49', 53' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  3' Cards: Craig Barry 46' to 56'	Report[63]	Try: Luzuko Vulindlu  10' Schalk Ferreira  31' Tienie Burger  72' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  11', 32' Benhard Janse van Rensburg  72' Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa  36'	Attendance: 5,522 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	9 February 2018	Ulster	59–10	Southern Kings	Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
	19:35	Try: Craig Gilroy  6', 38', 54' Stuart McCloskey  17' Johnny McPhillips  42' Rob Lyttle  49', 58' Kieran Treadwell  73' Darren Cave  76' Con: John Cooney  7', 18', 39', 43', 50', 74', 77'	Report[64]	Try: Harlon Klaasen  70' Con: Benhard Janse van Rensburg  70' Pen: Masixole Banda  15'	Attendance: 13,759 Referee: Joy Neville

	16 February 2018	Ospreys	26–12	Southern Kings	Liberty Stadium, Swansea
	19:35	Try: Tom Habberfield  12' penalty try  65', 76' Jeff Hassler  78' Con: Sam Davies  12'	Report[65]	Try: Michael Makase  20' Mike Willemse  31' Con: Martin du Toit  21' Cards: Joe Smith 64' to 74' Eital Bredenkamp 68' to 78'	Attendance: 4,673 Referee: David Wilkinson

	23 February 2018	Leinster	64–7	Southern Kings	RDS Arena, Dublin
	19:35	Try: Bryan Byrne  3', 27' Nick McCarthy  10', 47' Barry Daly  17', 64' Dave Kearney  22' Ciaran Frawley  33' James Lowe  53' Jordan Larmour  75' Con: Ciaran Frawley  4', 11', 22', 28', 34', 48', 75'	Report[66]	Try: Mike Willemse  14' Con: Martin du Toit  15' Cards: Pieter Scholtz 53' to 63'	Attendance: 10,215 Referee: Dan Jones

	2 March 2018	Southern Kings	45–13	Dragons	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	19:35	Try: Luzuko Vulindlu  33', 41' Masixole Banda  39' Ruaan Lerm  45' Anthony Volmink  66' Bobby de Wee  76' Con: Kurt Coleman  34', 40', 41', 46', 67', 77' Pen: Kurt Coleman  51'	Report[67]	Try: Dorian Jones  26' Con: Dorian Jones  26' Pen: Dorian Jones  5', 38'	Attendance: 4,574 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	24 March 2018	Southern Kings	35–36	Benetton	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	15:00	Try: Luzuko Vulindlu  9' Godlen Masimla  17' Ruaan Lerm  36' penalty try  57' Berton Klaasen  72' Con: Kurt Coleman  10', 18' Masixole Banda  38', 73' Cards: Tango Balekile  75'	Report[68]	Try: Tomás Baravalle  2' Marco Lazzaroni  5' Marty Banks  21' Tommaso Iannone  28' Braam Steyn  49' Con: Marty Banks  6', 22', 29', 50' Pen: Marty Banks  64' Cards: Federico Ruzza 57' to 67'	Attendance: 4,913 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	7 April 2018	Southern Kings	22–39	Munster	Outeniqua Park, George
	19:35	Try: Andisa Ntsila  26' Stephan Greeff  30' Michael Makase  74' Con: Masixole Banda  28', 75' Pen: Masixole Banda  35'	Report[69]	Try: Rory Scannell  37' Calvin Nash  40' CJ Stander  47' Dan Goggin  53' Rhys Marshall  68' Dave Kilcoyne  71' Con: Ian Keatley  48', 68', 72' Pen: Ian Keatley  16' Cards: Gerbrandt Grobler 24' to 34'	Attendance: 6,318 Referee: Lloyd Linton

	14 April 2018	Southern Kings	12–45	Cardiff Blues	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	18:35	Try: Ntabeni Dukisa  47' Lindokuhle Welemu  68' Con: Masixole Banda  48' Cards: Schalk Ferreira 36' to 46'	Report[70]	Try: Alex Cuthbert  1' Seb Davies  6' Josh Turnbull  24' Willis Halaholo  31' Kirby Myhill  37', 54' Blaine Scully  42' Con: Jarrod Evans  2', 7', 25', 32', 43'	Attendance: 3,706 Referee: Sean Gallagher

	28 April 2018	Southern Kings	20–29	Cheetahs	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	15:00	Try: Ntabeni Dukisa  4' Harlon Klaasen  42' Con: Masixole Banda  5', 43' Pen: Masixole Banda  14', 22'	Report[71]	Try: Paul Schoeman  18' Niel Marais  28' Uzair Cassiem  39' Francois Venter  52' Con: Niel Marais  19', 40', 53' Pen: Niel Marais  2'	Attendance: 4,179 Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Player statistics

The Pro14 appearance record for players that represented the Kings in 2017–18 is as follows:

2017–18 Kings player statistics
Player name	SCA	CON	LEI	ZEB	DRA	BEN	GLA	ULS	SCA	EDI	EDI	CHE	CHE	ULS	OSP	LEI	DRA	BEN	MUN	CAR	CHE		App	Try	Con	Pen	DG	Pts
Schalk Ferreira	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1			20	1	0	0	0	5
Mike Willemse (c)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2					16	2	2	2	2	2						13	2	0	0	0	10
Rossouw de Klerk	3	3		17	17	17	3	3	3	3	18									3	3		12	0	0	0	0	0
Jurie van Vuuren	4	4			7	7	7	7	19		4			19	19								10	0	0	0	0	0
Dries van Schalkwyk	5	5	5	5	8	8		20	20	20	5						20				8		12	1	0	0	0	5
Khaya Majola	6	6	6	6	20	20	20													20	6		9	0	0	0	0	0
Victor Sekekete	7	7	7	7																			4	0	0	0	0	0
Andisa Ntsila	8	8	8	8	6	6	6	6	6	6			6	6	6	8	6	6	6				17	2	0	0	0	10
Rudi van Rooyen	9	21	9	9		21	9	9	9	9	9	21	21						21	21			14	0	0	0	0	0
Kurt Coleman	10	10						22	23	10	10						22	10					8	0	12	5	0	39
S'bura Sithole	11	11	11	11		14																	5	0	0	0	0	0
Luzuko Vulindlu	12	12	12	12	23	12	12	12					12	12	12	12	12	12	22	12			16	4	0	0	0	20
Berton Klaasen	13	13	13	13	12	23	13	13	13	12	13	13	23	13	13	13	13	13	12	13			20	4	0	0	0	20
Yaw Penxe	14	14	14	14	14		14	15	15	15	14	15	11	14	14	15			11	11	15		18	5	0	0	0	25
Masixole Banda	15	15	15	15	15	15	15				23			15	15		15	15	15	15	10		15	1	7	7	0	40
Stephan Coetzee	16	16	16	16	16			2	2	2	2	2		16	16	16	16	2	2	2	2		18	0	0	0	0	0
Luvuyo Pupuma	17	17	3	3				18	17	17					18	18	18	18	18	18	18		14	2	0	0	0	10
Entienne Swanepoel	18	18			18	18																	4	0	0	0	0	0
Bobby de Wee	19	19	19	19	5	5	5	5	5	5		5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	4	5		20	1	0	0	0	5
Siya Mdaka	20	20	20																				3	0	0	0	0	0
Godlen Masimla	21	9	21	21	9	9			21	21				21	21		21	9	9	9	9		15	2	0	0	0	10
Ntabeni Dukisa	22		22								15	22	15						23	10	12		8	3	4	1	0	26
Jacques Nel	23	23	23	23	13	13	23			23						23	23	23	13		13		13	2	0	0	0	10
Oliver Zono		22	10	22	22	22	22	10	10			10											9	0	7	3	0	23
Stephan Greeff			4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4		4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4		4		17	1	0	0	0	5
Piet-Louw Strauss			17																				1	0	0	0	0	0
Martin Dreyer			18	18	3	3	18				17												6	0	0	0	0	0
Pieter-Steyn de Wet				10	10	10																	3	0	3	4	0	18
Freddy Ngoza				20							20	20											3	0	0	0	0	0
Alshaun Bock					11	11	11	11			11							11		22			7	0	0	0	0	0
Giant Mtyanda					19	19	19			19								19	19	5	19		8	0	0	0	0	0
Rowan Gouws					21		21	21			21	9	9	9	9	9	9	21					11	0	0	0	0	0
Tango Balekile						16	16	16			16		16					16		16	16		8	0	0	0	0	0
Ruaan Lerm							8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	20	8	8	8	8			14	2	0	0	0	10
Martin du Toit							10		12		12	12	10	10	10	10	10	22	10				11	1	2	0	0	9
Mzamo Majola							17	17															2	0	0	0	0	0
Michael Makase								14	14	14		14	14		11	14	14	14	14	14	14		12	4	0	0	0	20
Lindokuhle Welemu								19			19	19	19			19	19			19	20		8	1	0	0	0	5
Jarryd Sage								23															1	0	0	0	0	0
Tienie Burger									7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7		13	1	0	0	0	5
Anthony Volmink									11	11		11		11		11	11						6	1	0	0	0	5
Alandré van Rooyen									16	16									16				3	0	0	0	0	0
Pieter Scholtz									18	18	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3				11	0	0	0	0	0
Harlon Klaasen									22	13	22	23	13	23	23					23	11		9	4	0	0	0	20
Benhard Janse van Rensburg										22			22	22	22	22							5	0	2	0	0	4
Eital Bredenkamp											6	6	20	20	20	6							6	1	0	0	0	5
Joe Smith												17	17	17	17	17	17	17					5	0	0	0	0	0
Dayan van der Westhuizen												18	18	18							17		4	0	0	0	0	0
JP Smith																21					21		2	0	0	0	0	0
Lusanda Badiyana																		20	20	6	22		4	0	0	0	0	0
Justin Forwood																			17	17	1		3	0	0	0	0	0
JC Roos																					23		1	0	0	0	0	0
penalty try																							–	2	–	–	–	14
Total																							21	48	37	20	0	378

(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 23. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Con" to the number of conversions kicked, "Pen" to the number of penalties kicked, "DG" to the number of drop goals kicked and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.

• Njabulo Gumede and CJ Velleman did not make any appearances.

Awards

The following player were honoured at the Southern Kings' end-of-season awards:

2017–18 Kings player awards winners
Award	Player
Player of the Year	Bobby de Wee
Try of the Year	Michael Makase
Most Professional Player	Berton Klaasen
Player's Player of the Year	Bobby de Wee
Golden Boot	Kurt Coleman
Most Valuable Player	Schalk Ferreira
Most Consistent Performer	Tienie Burger
Best Back	Yaw Penxe
Best Forward	Andisa Ntsila

See also

• Southern Kings
• Pro14

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