THERE was good news for Southern Kings rugby yesterday when dynamic wing Sergeal Petersen returned from injury to take part in a vigorous training session.

Petersen, who injured his hamstring when the Kings played a Super Rugby match against the Waratahs at the beginning of May, has been sorely missed during his long absence.

Officials said the 18-year-old flyer was put through his paces and showed no signs of a recurrence of his injury problem.

Petersen missed the Kings' past three Super Rugby matches against the Highlanders, Cheetahs and Stormers.

The Kings players reconvened yesterday after a two-week break because of the international test window and Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons and his head coach Matt Sexton have much to ponder as the season enters its final phase.

Petersen, who was also forced to pull out of the Baby Boks team to play at the Junior World Championships in France because of the injury, will be keen to make an impression in the Kings' final three Super Rugby matches.

Fortunately, Petersen is still young enough to represent the Baby Boks next year when the annual Junior World Cup showpiece will be held in New Zealand.

The opportunistic Petersen will have a crucial role to play when the Kings defend their Super Rugby status against the Lions in a double-header promotion-relegation showdown at the end of the season.

Apart from Petersen, wing Siyanda Grey also returned to full training after missing the Kings' last Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands, also due to a hamstring injury. Skipper Luke Watson, who missed the Stormers match because of flu, took part in yesterday's training session.

Watson's leadership and experience will be crucial as the Kings fight for Super Rugby survival in what promises to be a frenetic end to the season.

The Kings play the first leg of the play-off in Nelson Mandela Bay on July 26 and the second leg at Ellis Park on August 2.