Sam’s the man for Edinburgh in stunning late cameo

SAM Hidalgo-Clyne came off the bench to bag a hattrick as Edinburgh surged to an impressive victory over Southern Kings.

Three tries in the opening 19 minutes put Richard Cockerill’s side in command in Port Elizabeth but the hosts reduced the deficit to six by half-time.

However, Dougie Fife sealed the bonus point and scrum-half Hidalgo-Clyne delivered a brilliant cameo to claim 21 points himself in seven minutes.

Cockerill said: “Sam Hidalgo-Clyne had a big impact when he came on. The bench were really important tonight and it was great to get the internationals out playing again.

“Today was important to get the win and the five points that keep us trying to push into that top three.”

Edinburgh started fast and Fraser McKenzie went over inside three minutes. Viliame Mata then sprinted clear to double the lead three minutes later.

Edinburgh lost Neil Cochrane to injury 11 minutes in following a high tackle by Schalk Ferreira, who was sin-binned, and Gilchrist went over.

Jaco van der Walt kicked Edinburgh into a 22-3 lead but his dropped pass gave Kings a lifeline and Harlon Klaasen broke free to score.

Hidalgo-Clyne then took centre stage. First he fed Fife to score and then converting all three of his own tries in the final ten minutes. Dries van Schalkwyck scored a last-minute consolation after No.8 Cornell du Preez was yellow carded for a clumsy aerial collision.