REPORT: Bristol Bears beat disjointed South Africa ‘A’

There were very few positives as South Africa A produced an underwhelming performance that led to a 26-18 defeat against the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday.

It would be an unfair assessment to say this was an unsuccessful two-match tour for SA A, given the end goal was to ensure players on the periphery of Springbok selection for the England Test, maintaining their match fitness and get enough game in the absence of United Rugby Championship competition.

But two defeats from two games ultimately tells a story of a group of Springbok hopefuls who didn’t particularly impress during their auditions for Test selection.

In both games, against Bristol and Munster, SA A lacked cohesion and composure. And even though these were effectively exhibition matches, there were no hallmarks to that extent in terms of South Africa’s style of play.

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The first half was a tedious affair. After an uneventful opening 30 minutes, the sides were locked at six apiece courtesy of two penalties each by flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Callum Sheedy.

The hosts would wrestle the momentum just before half-time when wing Gabriel Ibitoye was on the receiving end of an outstanding offload from Luke Morahan to score the first try, much to the delight of the record crowd of 26,387 inside the stadium.

SA A would narrow the deficit to 13-11 with a try of their own — scored by prop Ntuthuko Mchunu — but the Bears were not to be denied. They tightened the screws with an unanswered 13 points to leave SA A reeling at 26-11 with less than five minutes remaining.

Much like he did against Munster, Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored a late consolation try. But ultimately, coach Mzwandile Stick will be left wondering how this team filled with talented individuals failed to work as a unit.

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TEAMS FOR THE SOUTH AFRICA A V BRISTOL GAME

Bristol Bears

15 Luke Morahan 14. Deago Bailey, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Sam Bedlow, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Will Porter, 8 Fitz Harding, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Joe Batley, 4 Joe Joyce (captain), 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Yann Thomas.
Substitutes: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jonathan Benz-Salomon, 19 John Hawkins, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Joe Jenkins, 23 Rich Lane

South Africa ‘A‘

15 Gianni Lombard (Lions), 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), 13 Henco van Wyk (Lions), 12 Cornal Hendricks (Bulls), 11 Leolin Zas (Stormers), 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), 9 Grant Williams (Sharks), 8 Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), 7 Elrigh Louw (Bulls), 6 Marco van Staden (Bulls), 5 Ruan Nortje (Bulls), 4 Jason Jenkins (Leinster), 3 Thomas du Toit (captain, Sharks), 2 Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks).
Substitutes: 16 JJ Kotze (Stormers), 17 Simphiwe Matanzima (Bulls), 18 Mornay Smith (Bulls), 19 Dan du Preez (Sale Sharks), 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Sharks), 21 Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), 22 Sanele Nohamba (Lions), 23 Johan Goosen (Bulls)