The British and Irish Lions have been beaten for the first time in a tour match as South Africa inflicted a 23-23 draw at Ellis Park.
The south africa a v british & irish lions is the first time that the British and Irish Lions have lost to South Africa.
After escaping Faf de Klerk’s tackle, Louis Rees-Zammit came within inches of scoring a game-winning try.
| A (17) 17 South Africa |
| M Steyn 2 Pen: Steyn Try: Nkosi, An |
| Lions of the United Kingdom and Ireland (3) 13 |
| W Jones is a good option. Negative: Farrell Farrell 2 (pen) |
A high-strength version South Africa is a country in Africa. The 2021 British and Irish Lions suffered their first loss, serving as a sobering reminder of what lies ahead when the series begins later this month.
After a strong first-half performance, Sbu Nkosi and Lukhanyo Am scored tries to give the hosts a 14-point advantage.
With South Africa A down to 13 men following two yellow cards, the Lions made advances when Wyn Jones scored.
South Africa, on the other hand, A recovered control of the game and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
After slipping inside scrum-half Faf de Klerk, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit came the closest to stealing victory from the hosts, but he couldn’t quite extend enough to dot down.
The Lions, on the other hand, will take comfort from their second-half improvement. With the Springboks having only played one match in the past 18 months with Covid possibly creating further disruption before the first Test on July 24, the series winner may be the team that can find their feet the quickest.
In a powerful first-half display, the Boks demonstrate their class.
South Africa A scored their first try after Eben Etzebeth’s chargedown prompted the counter.
With 18 Rugby World Cup winners in the roster, South Africa’s side was already an A team.
The Lions’ toughness, energy, and quality were immediately apparent after three easy victories against provincial teams without Springboks in which they scored an average of more than 60 points.
Second row Eben Etzebeth made a tremendous tackle on Liam Williams in the opening minute.
South Africa’s ferocious breakdown assault handed over possession three times in the opening four minutes.
De Klerk’s precise kicking explored space and heaped pressure on the visitors’ back three, and there was no let-up in the air.
Despite the fact that South Africa had only played one Test since winning the World Cup final in Yokohama in November 2019, the hosts’ famous blitz defence remained as stifling as ever.
When the looming Etzebeth charged down a kick from Owen Farrell – in as a late substitute due to Dan Biggar’s slight ankle injury – and Sbu Nkosi sprinted upfield to score, it scored the opening try.
Kolbe, who adds a glint of stardust to South Africa’s grit, was the second. Outside Chris Harris, the winger’s dancing foot brought him ghosting through the tiniest of gaps before feeding inside for Lukhanyo Am to trot in.
The Lions scrum held its own against their opponents in the set-piece and had 65 percent possession before the break, but they were unable to make an impact on the scoreboard during a 10-minute spell of pressure and went under the tunnel 17-3 down.
The Lions are unable to capitalize on their power play opportunities.
De Klerk received a yellow card for a head-on collision with Josh Navidi.
South Africa is a country in Africa. The A’s defense was dedicated, but not as disciplined as the B’s. In the closing minutes of the first half, De Klerk and flanker Marco van Staden were both sent off for infringements on their own whitewash.
The visitors seemed to need to utilize their two-man power play to get back into the game, and prop Wyn Jones duly rumbled over from close range only three minutes after the restart.
The margin was down to four points when Farrell scored a penalty.
The Lions seemed to have adjusted and acclimatized, moving closer to the edge of the defense and committing more players to the breakdown.
As he twisted and strained for the corner, Rees-Zammit was inches away, but South Africa showed determination and street smarts to halt the Lions’ domination.
The Lions’ confidence and skill will be boosted by the opportune return of tour captain Alun Wyn Jones following an incredible 18-day comeback from a partly dislocated shoulder.
On Saturday, the trip resumes with a match against the Stormers.
Analysis
Chris Jones, rugby union correspondent: The Lions’ first loss on tour, and much for Warren Gatland to think about.
Individually, there have been some standout performances – Wyn Jones, Tom Curry, Maro Itoje, Chris Harris, and Anthony Watson are among those who have shone – but the Lions’ finest combinations and strategies remain a mystery.
Above all, the South Africans’ physicality and energy indicate that, despite its many failures and difficulties, as well as a lack of spectators, this Lions trip may yet be able to produce a fascinating Test series.
Maro Itoje was named Man of the Match.
Itoje carried the ball 12 times more than any other Lions player and was a persistent thorn in the side of Faf de Klerk’s side.
Line-ups
Williams, Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, A Watson; Farrell, Murray (captain); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau; Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau
Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, and Daly are the replacements.
South Africa is a country in Africa. A: Le Roux; Am: Kolbe (capt), Nkosi De Allende; Steyn, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Dweba, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese; Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese; Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese; Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese; Mostert, Van Staden,
Marx, Oosthuizen, Koch, Janse van Rensburg, Elstadt, H Jantjies, Kriel, Willemse are the replacements.
The south africa v lions stats is a rugby match that took place on June 23rd, 2018. South Africa beat the British and Irish Lions for the first time in their history.
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