The score line might tell a different story, but the Southern Kings left everything on the field and fought bravely for 70 minutes against the Hurricanes in their last tour match despite going down 42 – 20 in the end after trailing by two at half-time, 19 – 17.

Upon their return to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium they picked up their first win in this year’s competition, after beating the Sunwolves, 33 – 28, in a game that went down to the wire.

In a fairly inexperienced team with very few Super Rugby caps, there is definitely one player that has put his hand up and took this opportunity to play in the “toughest provincial rugby competition in the world” by the scruff of its neck, and that is hooker Edgar Marutlulle.

Arguably one of the best hookers in South Africa at the moment, Marutlulle has played 270 out of a possible 400 minutes, he has made 172 metres, 52 carries, beaten 9 defenders with 4 clean breaks and 3 tries.

Marutlulle said their recent tour to New Zealand did the squad good.

“The tour genuinely built bonds between the players and the staff, it formed a spirit of unity. Time together away from Port Elizabeth and time away from our own support structures led to us leaning on one another and growing to understand this new team and teammates we had just formed in January. We spent a lot of time playing cards and team outings.”

He said they learnt a lot of rugby lessons in New Zealand, like how the ability to offload in the contact is changing the game and how crucial the traditional fetcher role is in beating the New Zealanders.

With five good outings, three tries and a Man of the Match award in their last game against the Sunwolves, Marrutlulle shared what his motivation and drive is.

“My motivation is to honour God with my talent 100%. My motivation is bringing hope and joy to the Eastern Cape. My motivation is the sacrifices I’ve  put in to be here. My motivation is to make my family proud.”

In closing Marutlulle shared what Super Rugby means to him, the people of the Eastern Cape and the region.

“If you can try and capture the feeling of every Eastern Cape person whenever the Kings score a try, whether they in a bar in Stanley Street, kitchen in Newton park, at home on the couch or at a braai with friends in Summerstrand. Take that feeling of pride, joy and heritage, mix it all up and that’s what it means to the people. To see a boy from New Brighton and Dwesi say, I wanna be just like you. Those words and feelings make you understand what it means to you. When a boy at the doctor’s office in Kragga Kamma tells you that he’s chosen you for his fantasy team.”

“Every carry, every tackle, every scrum won, every try scored and every bit of victory brings joy and hope to the Eastern Cape. It says there’s a future and a good one indeed.”