Cheetahs and Kings thumped again in Pro14

Former Super Rugby sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings have continued their tough start to life in Europe's Pro14, with another set of heavy losses.

Exiled South African Super Rugby sides the Cheetahs and Southern Kings have again suffered heavy defeats in Europe's Pro14 competition.

The Kings lost 32-10 at the Sportsground against Connacht, who posted their first Pro14 win under new coach Kieran Keane.

It was a heavier defeat for the Cheetahs, who lost 51-18 against Munster at Thomond Park.

Alex Wootton scored four tries for Munster to equal the record for most tries scored in a Pro14 game.

Wootton's first-half double - supplementing Tommy O'Donnell's sixth-minute score - had Rassie Erasmus' men leading 22-6 at the break.

The Cheetahs, 42-19 losers at Ulster in the first round, hit back with a stunning 41st-minute try from William Small-Smith, adding to Robbie Petzer's first half penalties.

Although the South Africans scored again late on through Henco Venter, the hosts coasted to their second successive bonus point of the new season thanks to further tries from Jean Kleyn, Chris Farrell, man-of-the-match Wootton and returning international Simon Zebo.

For Connacht, a three-try first half, topped off by Ultan Dillane's effort just before the break, had the hosts leading 24-5 against their South African visitors.

Kings centre Berton Klaasen managed to cross on the half hour mark, in between tries from Tom Farrell and Connacht replacement Eoghan Masterson.

After Jack Carty took his tally to 12 points with his fifth successful kick of the night, Connacht rebounded from Finlay Bealham's sin-binning to claim a hard-earned bonus point through Darragh Leader's 69th-minute try.

The hosts' captain John Muldoon saw yellow in the final minutes, allowing Kings replacement prop Luvuyo Pupuma to have the final say with a well-taken five-pointer.

Southern Kings lost their opening match of the Pro14 competition 57-10 against Scarlets.

There might be some respite on the way for the competition rookies though, with their first home games next weekend.

The Cheetahs welcome Italian strugglers Zebre, although Southern Kings host European powerhouses Leinster.


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Source: AAP



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