Worrying signs: South Africa now zero from four on tour

As was the case last week when SA A lost to Munster, there were also very few positives on Thursday night as South Africa A produced an underwhelming performance that led to a 26-18 defeat against the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium.

It’s been difficult to identify really any players who used the time with the South Africa A team to advance their cause for Springbok selection, with Grant Williams and Sikhumbuzo Notshe perhaps the best back and forward respectively.

BOMBSHELL: WORLD RUGBY BANS RASSIE ERASMUS … AGAIN

These results come as the Springboks have also slumped to defeats against Ireland and France, while on Thursday, World Rugby issued Rassie Erasmus with a ban on all match-day activities for two matches as a result of recent social media posts.

All in all, it’s starting to turn into a truly nightmare tour for South Africa, and there will now be massive pressure on the Springboks to restore some faith by claiming a big win over Italy this weekend.

When it came to the SA A team on Thursday, they trailed 13-6 at the break against Bristol, who built on that in the second half to confirm the victory that was made easier by the error-ridden effort by the tourists.

“The honest truth is that I am disappointed,” coach Mzwanedile Stick commented afterwards. “The potential we’ve got in the changeroom and the players that we’ve got, I felt that we have brilliant players and experienced players in the squad.

“We didn’t play to the standard that we’ve got in that dressing room. Sometimes, maybe the players were trying to play like a trial game where everyone wants to do their own thing.

“The moment that we started playing like a team and sticking to the plan, beautiful things were happening. It showed in the try scored by Ntuthuko Mchunu. Once we played in front of our forwards and played direct, we started dominating the game.

“When we decided to spread the ball wide, the ball retention at the breakdowns was poor. Losing the ball in the wider channels let us down. I am disappointed, but only because I know the material we had in the dressing room. We really had players that can win us games.”

ALSO READ | RASSIE RESPONDS ANGRILY TO OUTCRY OVER HIS TWITTER POSTS

Scorers:

Bristol Bears 26 (13) – Tries: Gabriel Ibitoye, Yann Thomas. Conversions: Callum Sheedy (2). Penalty goals: Sheedy (4).

South Africa ‘A’ 18 (6) – Tries: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Sikhumbuzo Notshe. Conversion: Johan Goosen. Penalty goals: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2).

ALSO READ | ANOTHER BOMBSHELL DEVELOPMENT IN JANTJIES-SIMJEE SAGA