South Africa 'A' v British & Irish Lions, 14 July

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SOUTH AFRICA A v BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Wednesday 14 July
KO: 20:00 SAST / 19:00 UK / 22:00 Dubai  
Cape Town Stadium (Newlands), Cape Town
Sky Sports Main Event

Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Marius Jonker

TEAMS:

SOUTH AFRICA A:
15 – Willie le Roux
14 – Cheslin Kolbe
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Damian de Allende
11 – Sbu Nkosi
10 – Morné Steyn
9 – Faf de Klerk

8 – Jasper Wiese
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Franco Mostert
4 – Eben Etzebeth
3 – Trevor Nyakane
2 – Joseph Dweba
1 – Steven Kitshoff

Replacements (from):
16 – Malcolm Marx
17 – Coenie Oosthuizen
18 – Vincent Koch
19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg
20 – Rynhardt Elstadt
21 – Herschel Jantjies
22 – Jesse Kriel
23 – Damian Willemse
24 – Kwagga Smith
25 – Elton Jantjies

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:
15. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) #846
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
9. Conor Murray – captain (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
6. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #854
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #848
19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852
20. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
21. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849
22. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822

COMMENTARY:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:Look at 18, no way he is legal there

Fagerson is actually fine there doesn't change his bind. Beard does.

Well then I have no clue.

Old Man wrote:Now Itoje

Absolutely fine. Doesn't change his bind.

So are we looking at curry at 6 with Watson at 7 for the official tests?

Or could curry okay 8 where Jones seems to like him?

OK, I ammaking a mental note of this, swing around don’t change your bind. Will follow this with interest in the next few weeks

Old Man wrote:OK, I ammaking a mental note of this, swing around don’t change your bind. Will follow this with interest in the next few weeks

Yup. As long as you initially join from onside obviously.

If the lions want to contain Kolby they have to play Mako on the wing, 3 times he's snagged him lol

I hope Rassie has a plan b, this half we have kicked away possession, continued with a maul that had failed, and pedantic

Dirtydave wrote:

MichaelT wrote:Kolbe didnt dance away from Vunipola there

My partner yelled 'oooohhhhh nooooo' when kolby stood up Mako lol

To me it looked like Vunipola caught him. Will have to watch it again. Kolbe did go past Itoje easily there.

Poor decision again by SA, 2 phases drop goal?!?!

Fagerson has looked good. We’ve got 3 very good choices at tighthead

Dirtydave wrote:Poor decision again by SA, 2 phases drop goal?!?!

Yeah our decision making is pathetic

Old Man wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:Poor decision again by SA, 2 phases drop goal?!?!

Yeah our decision making is pathetic

I'd be a bit worried, it's not a fully firing, or even a first team, but this second half has just been mauls and one up hitters.

With some very good breakdown players coming in for the lions I'd be worried the game could get away in that area

WTF would they continue with the maul?

Faf has been a huge disappointment in this match, penalties, cards, pedantic

Win the series, no one will remember this game!

But we needed this game.

I think both teams needed this game.

Boks have a boatload to sort out.

And we miss Beast

SA, 6 weeks in hotel isolation and it's shown a bit in the 2nd half, it's going to be a worry once the match fitness kicks in

No phase play at all with the backs, Farrell not impressed

Brilliant 2nd half from Curry

Definitely what the Lions needed. That’ll give them a rocket up them. Learned much more from this than from a large win against a deplete club side.

Both teams needed this hit up, massive learning for both coaches needed.

New players to come in, neither team has shown their hand to the other.

Good game. Both sides with work to do, Lions more so.

Why does Faf always want to have a punch-up with people twice the size of him?

TightHEAD wrote:Win the series, no one will remember this game!

But we needed this game.

Nobody will remember this tour, let alone the game.

Our scrum, maul, discipline, decision making, game plan, and selections need work.

Steyn, Faf, crap

Duty281 wrote:Good game. Both sides with work to do, Lions more so.

Why does Faf always want to have a punch-up with people twice the size of him?

He has a chip on his shoulder, Best thing Rassie can do is bench him

flyhalffactory wrote:SA, 6 weeks in hotel isolation and it's shown a bit in the 2nd half, it's going to be a worry once the match fitness kicks in

No phase play at all with the backs, Farrell not impressed

Brilliant 2nd half from Curry

I'd go as far to say that's the best 40 from any player on tour thus far! Whatever was said to him at half time worked a treat!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Win the series, no one will remember this game!

But we needed this game.

Nobody will remember this tour, let alone the game.

The victors’ fans will remember this tour, oh yeah.

Do you throw AWJ straight in? Murray is not a captain for me, not even a test starter.

But fair play to SA A.

Dirtydave wrote:I've criticised Harris ability in recent games and this match has proved me right I think, just isn't quite up to scratch at this level

Its hard to shine playing outside Farrell who is so slow that any pass to outside is man and =ball

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:I've criticised Harris ability in recent games and this match has proved me right I think, just isn't quite up to scratch at this level

Its hard to shine playing outside Farrell who is so slow that any pass to outside is man and =ball

I agree, but his ability carrying was not in doubt, defensively he's a liability.

To be fair to him I though Aki was absolute garbage tonight, that wouldn't have helped!

A ' Team music, love it.

Farrell was poor, still on championship mode.

TightHEAD wrote:Farrell was poor, still on championship mode.

He's carrying an injury isn't he?

I got the feeling Biggar has been wrapped up rather than an injury, Farrell has been injured, Russell is basically out of the tour, Smith is en route! Losing Biggar would've been a disaster in the making!

Credit to Farrell for getting through tonight!

I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

Duty281 wrote:Good game. Both sides with work to do, Lions more so.

Why does Faf always want to have a punch-up with people twice the size of him?

HE winds them up until they have a go at him

Old Man wrote:I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

I'd agree with that, Price is too much of a risk even if he has played well thus far, and Murray on the bench to close a game out (Davies brain facts are legendary).

It's a real shame Tomos Williams injury came when it did, he was the form 9 in the NH (outside of you know who) and I'd have selected him over all 3 there now.

Dirtydave wrote:

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:I've criticised Harris ability in recent games and this match has proved me right I think, just isn't quite up to scratch at this level

Its hard to shine playing outside Farrell who is so slow that any pass to outside is man and =ball

I agree, but his ability carrying was not in doubt, defensively he's a liability.

To be fair to him I though Aki was absolute garbage tonight, that wouldn't have helped!

thats nonsense Harris is a brilliant defender. Its his attacking ability that is in doubt.

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

I'd agree with that, Price is too much of a risk even if he has played well thus far, and Murray on the bench to close a game out (Davies brain facts are legendary).

It's a real shame Tomos Williams injury came when it did, he was the form 9 in the NH (outside of you know who) and I'd have selected him over all 3 there now.

Why do you think Price a risk? Davies has been pure mince so far. Price clearly the best of the 9s

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:I've criticised Harris ability in recent games and this match has proved me right I think, just isn't quite up to scratch at this level

Its hard to shine playing outside Farrell who is so slow that any pass to outside is man and =ball

I agree, but his ability carrying was not in doubt, defensively he's a liability.

To be fair to him I though Aki was absolute garbage tonight, that wouldn't have helped!

thats nonsense  Harris is a brilliant defender.  Its his attacking ability that is in doubt.  

Beaten handily for the first try, caught flat footed a number of times and struggling to have any sort of impact in the game.

Henshaw is a real miss!

Admittedly the South Africans weren’t showing much rust, but apart from physicality they were uninspiring.

They need to improve their scrum.
They need to vary their line out play and secure their mauls on the fringe
Faf must be dropped, he has a chip on his shoulder and is frustratingly pedantic behind the scrum and ruck
Pollard has to play.
Morne Steyn was not even average.
De Allende and Am is looking good.
O
We are ill disciplined and are kicking far too much possession away.

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

I'd agree with that, Price is too much of a risk even if he has played well thus far, and Murray on the bench to close a game out (Davies brain facts are legendary).

It's a real shame Tomos Williams injury came when it did, he was the form 9 in the NH (outside of you know who) and I'd have selected him over all 3 there now.

Why do you think Price a risk?  Davies has been pure mince so far.  Price clearly the best of the 9s

Price has played well against no marks with an armchair ride. He had a decent 6N but I personally would've had the discussion of taking him as 3rd choice SH, with Murray and Davies fighting it out with him.

However, he has similar weaknesses as davies, without the defensive capability Davies gives you.

Old Man wrote:Admittedly the South Africans weren’t showing much rust, but apart from physicality they were uninspiring.

They need to improve their scrum.
They need to vary their line out play and secure their mauls on the fringe
Faf must be dropped, he has a chip on his shoulder and is frustratingly pedantic behind the scrum and ruck
Pollard has to play.
Morne Steyn was not even average.
De Allende and Am is looking good.
O
We are ill disciplined and are kicking far too much possession away.

I don't think your giving Rassie enough credit, he really tightened the SA game plan to cut out rust errors, and asked his players to simply win the physical battle, they did exactly what they needed to do!

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:Admittedly the South Africans weren’t showing much rust, but apart from physicality they were uninspiring.

They need to improve their scrum.
They need to vary their line out play and secure their mauls on the fringe
Faf must be dropped, he has a chip on his shoulder and is frustratingly pedantic behind the scrum and ruck
Pollard has to play.
Morne Steyn was not even average.
De Allende and Am is looking good.
O
We are ill disciplined and are kicking far too much possession away.

I don't think your giving Rassie enough credit, he really tightened the SA game plan to cut out rust errors, and asked his players to simply win the physical battle, they did exactly what they needed to do!

Won’t be good enough when the series starts. You cannot score points without the ball.

Dirtydave wrote:

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

I'd agree with that, Price is too much of a risk even if he has played well thus far, and Murray on the bench to close a game out (Davies brain facts are legendary).

It's a real shame Tomos Williams injury came when it did, he was the form 9 in the NH (outside of you know who) and I'd have selected him over all 3 there now.

Why do you think Price a risk?  Davies has been pure mince so far.  Price clearly the best of the 9s

Price has played well against no marks with an armchair ride. He had a decent 6N but I personally would've had the discussion of taking him as 3rd choice SH, with Murray and Davies fighting it out with him.

However, he has similar weaknesses as davies, without the defensive capability Davies gives you.

Price came into the tour as 3rd 9 for sure - but he has played the best of any of them by a long way

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

TJ wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:I think Biggar will be the test 10, not sure who will be the 9 though. Maybe best to put Gareth Davies there as he and Biggar have played a million test together.

I'd agree with that, Price is too much of a risk even if he has played well thus far, and Murray on the bench to close a game out (Davies brain facts are legendary).

It's a real shame Tomos Williams injury came when it did, he was the form 9 in the NH (outside of you know who) and I'd have selected him over all 3 there now.

Why do you think Price a risk?  Davies has been pure mince so far.  Price clearly the best of the 9s

Price has played well against no marks with an armchair ride. He had a decent 6N but I personally would've had the discussion of taking him as 3rd choice SH, with Murray and Davies fighting it out with him.

However, he has similar weaknesses as davies, without the defensive capability Davies gives you.

Price came into the tour as 3rd 9 for sure - but he has played the best of any of them by a long way

I agree...

But context is important. I don't dislike Price, but I'd favour davies in test 1 due to the context of only having one fit 10 and it's his international partner.

Old Man wrote:

Dirtydave wrote:

Old Man wrote:Admittedly the South Africans weren’t showing much rust, but apart from physicality they were uninspiring.

They need to improve their scrum.
They need to vary their line out play and secure their mauls on the fringe
Faf must be dropped, he has a chip on his shoulder and is frustratingly pedantic behind the scrum and ruck
Pollard has to play.
Morne Steyn was not even average.
De Allende and Am is looking good.
O
We are ill disciplined and are kicking far too much possession away.

I don't think your giving Rassie enough credit, he really tightened the SA game plan to cut out rust errors, and asked his players to simply win the physical battle, they did exactly what they needed to do!

Won’t be good enough when the series starts. You cannot score points without the ball.

I agree, but for a first hit up it went well. They'll have a game Saturday now to get more fitness.

I wouldn't get too ahead of myself as an SA fan, there are some massive players and combinations to come in for the lions, Hogg, Adams, Williams, VDM, Henshaw, Biggar, Watson, Furlong etc... Arial ability will double, breakdown nous will improve.

However, this game reminds me of gatland first game for wales, he selected 13 osprey players, and made a great situational call. Rassie just did the same, and now has another game and some quality players to add for test 1.

Both coaches will be quietly happy imo

Not a great performance from the Lions, the pack did alright the rest were average enough.

Great defense from SA.

I doubt any SA fan will be satisfied with that performance, far to many deficiencies in that game plan

Yes, forgot to say well done to SA. Congrats on the win! Well played, even though Old Man is not too happy with the performance!

I have to say the whole game was pure mince really, all 46 players!

apart from Faff - he is my new mancrush.

Without wanting to start world war 3, who for the Lions put their hands up (even if just a little) and who wrote themselves out of the test team?

TJ wrote:I have to say the whole game was pure mince really,  all 46 players!

apart from Faff - he is my new mancrush.  

And yet Old Man, an SA fan, thought he was mince too!