Port Elizabeth - EP Kings skipper Tim Whitehead crossed for a try after the hooter had gone to snatch a sensational 40-37 victory for his team against Griquas in their Absa Currie Cup match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Earlier Whitehead had scored his first try in the 58th minute to give the Kings the lead at 33-32.
However, Griquas hit back through a powerful lineout drive for AJ van Zyl to cross over as they regained the lead at 37-33, which they kept until the dying moments.
Finally, after a thrilling encounter full of running rugby, the Kings were rewarded for their attacking endeavours as Whitehead's second try gave them their second win of the season.
Scorers:
EP Kings
Tries: Luther Obi, Paul Schoeman (2), Tim Whitehead (2)
Conversions: Scott van Breda (3)
Penalties: Van Breda (3)
Griquas
Tries: Danie Dames (2), Clinton Swart, Carel Greeff, AJ le Roux
Conversions: Clinton Swart (3)
Penalties: Swart (2)
Teams:
Eastern Province Kings
15 Scott van Breda, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Phillipus du Plessis, 12 Tim Whitehead (captain), 11 Luther Obi, 10 Karlo Aspeling, 9 Dwayne Kelly, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Enrico Acker, 22 Elgar Watts
Griquas
15 Gouws Prinsloo, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Michael Van Der Spuy, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ntabeni Dukisa, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Jonathan Janse Van Rensburg, 6 RJ Liebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jonathan Adendorf, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Steph Roberts
Substitutes: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Stephan Kotze, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Dylon Frylink, 21 Jonathan Francke, 22 Ederies Arendse