Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was relieved to see his young side escape with victory after conceding three second-half tries in a gusty Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
The province surged into a 33-12 half-time lead after tries from Adam Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Leavu and Max Deegan but, following injuries to Rory O'Loughlin (knee) and Joe Tomane (hamstring), Southern Kings fought their way back into the game and Leinster needed a try from Bryan Byrne to seal a 38-33 win.
"We're delighted to get a win," said Cullen after his side moved nine points clear of Ulster at the top of the Pro14's Conference B.
"It's unbelievably difficult conditions. It was like being in a wind tunnel out there.
"The Kings had been going well. They had a big win against Glasgow, were very unlucky last week against Cardiff to lose at the end. So we're very pleased.
"Parts of the performance from our side were a little bit mixed.
"We struggled to control the ball in the first half but then we got a little bit of dominance in the scrum and we got some good rewards off the back of that.
"After managing the middle part of the game pretty well, that last 10 minutes we lost a bit of control.
"I know we had a few injuries and guys were playing out of position but even still we probably should have managed the end of the game a little bit better.
"But we've got a win and we're in a good position now in the league."
Leinster have 18 players away with the Ireland squad for the November Tests - a time of year when the sides most heavily stacked with internationals can be caught napping.
For Cullen, however, it's the perfect chance to blood fresh talent for an already highly competitive squad.
"It's been a good opportunity," he said. "We've been able to take a few younger players away.
"Some academy players have played and other guys have travelled so they'll definitely be better for the experience.
"We're missing a good chunk of players at the moment but we see it as a real positive that we can bring some other guys in now.
"This time of year, the depth gets tested. The Ospreys is our next game (23 November), back in the RDS, and it will be chance for our supporters to see some younger faces as well.
"Hopefully we'll get a great crowd."
