Lions player ratings vs South Africa A: Gatland's men fall short

Wednesday, 14 July 2021 at 21:00

byRugby Rucker

Lions player ratings vs South Africa A, brought to you by Lovell Rugby.

Warren Gatland's men recovered from a poor first half to make the game interesting, but ultimately fell by 17-13 to a strong South Africa A on Wednesday night.

Morne Steyn's penalty put the hosts into a early lead before he slotted a conversion after his opposite number Owen Farrell's kick was charged down to allow speedster S'busiso Nkosi to race in, 10-0.

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That is why they call this man the Lionel Messi of rugby...⚡ It is absolutely phenomenal from Cheslin Kolbe as Lukhanyo Am goes over for South Africa 'A'! 🏉

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6:48 PM · Jul 14, 2021

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Farrell got the tourists on the scoreboard with a three-pointer soon after, but South Africa a extended their lead with Lukhanyo Am going over unchallenged following some Cheslin Kolbe magic.

The tourists came roaring back, but despite yellow cards for both Faf de Klerk and Marco van Staden, South Africa A held onto their 17-3 lead heading into the break.

The Lions made inroads when prop Wyn Jones scored four minutes after the restart before they then almost took the lead through Louis Rees-Zammit.

But South Africa A regained control and ran down the clock to see out the narrow win.

Scroll down for Lions player ratings vs South Africa A.

POWERED BY LOVELL RUGBY:

RAGING BULL MAN OF THE MATCH: MARO ITOJE

SOUTH AFRICA A: 17 (17)

Tries: Nkosi 12, Am 31
Cons: Steyn 13,32
Pens: Steyn 6

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 13 (3)

Tries: Jones 44
Cons: Farrell 44
Pens: Farrell 28, 50

STATS ZONE – British & Irish Lions:

Most carries: Maro Itoje - 12
Most metres made: Anthony Watson - 48
Most tackles: Tom Curry - 11
Most tackles missed: Conor Murray - 2
Offloads: Tom Curry - 2
Turnovers won: Maro Itoje - 1
Turnovers conceded: Conor Murray - 2
Defenders beaten: Louis Rees-Zammit - 7

British & Irish Lions player ratings vs South Africa A

15. Liam Williams N/A
14. Louis Rees-Zammit 6
13. Chris Harris 7
12. Bundee Aki 6
11. Anthony Watson 7
10. Owen Farrell 5
9. Conor Murray 5.5
1. Wyn Jones 7
2. Ken Owens 6.7
3. Kyle Sinckler 7
4. Maro Itoje 8.5
5. Iain Henderson 6
6. Josh Navidi 7
7. Tom Curry 8
8. Taulupe Faletau 7

Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie 6
17. Mako Vunipola 7
18. Zander Fagerson 4
19. Adam Beard 7
20. Tadhg Beirne
21. Sam Simmonds
22. Gareth Davies
23. Elliot Daly 6

Wednesday 14 July 2021
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 7pm (BST)