Cape Town - The Kings' Super Rugby aspirations have been severely dented after they lost a pre-season game against Griquas in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday evening.

The Vodacom Cup side won 30-27, after the Kings led 20-16 at the break.

A late try from replacement hooker Simon Westraadt saw Griquas snatch a dramatic win after they at one stage trailed 17-3 in the first half.

This loss follows unimpressive pre-season victories by the Kings over the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (28-12), an SWD Franchise XV (29-13), and a 41-31 loss to the Lions last weekend.

They will play in this year's Super Rugby competition at the expense of the Lions, with their first game at home to Australia's Force on February 23.

Scorers:

Kings:

Tries: Luke Watson, Sergeal Peterson, penalty try

Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (3)

Penalties: Catrakilis (2)

Griquas:

Tries: Jaco Nepgen, Burton Francis, Simon Westraadt

Conversions: Francis (3)

Penalties: Francis (3)

Teams:

Kings:

15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Siyanda Grey, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornel du Preez , 5 Steve Sykes, 4 David Bulbring, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Substitutes - from: Edgar Marutlulle, BG Uys, Jaco Engels, Daniel Adongo, Devin Oosthuizen, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead, Hadleigh Parkes, Marcello Sampson, Johan Herbst.

Griquas:

15 Richard Lawson, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Jean Stemmet, 12 PJ Vermeulen, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Deon Carney, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3 Brummer Badenhorst, 2 Matt Dobson, 1 Steph Roberts.

Substitutes: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Eugene Butterworth, 18 Janro van Niekerk, 19 Joubert Horn, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Marnus Hugo, 22 Jacques Coetzee, 23 Walter Venter.

HAVE YOUR SAY: With the Kings going down at home to a Vodacom Cup side, how do you see them performing in Super Rugby? Can they win some matches? Send your thoughts to Sport24.