A week full of action and drama with big upsets while riots and politics caused the cancellation of two 201 Carling Currie Cup matches.
South Africa "A" played the B&I Lions tonight in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium @ 20h00. SA "A" had to work extremely hard to beat the B&I Lions with 17-13.
The SA "A" team started the match like a house on fire, attacking with intend and defending like demons. The SA "A" team were in the lead 17-03 at halftime, however, two yellow cards and 11 penalties conceded was a testament to their ill-discipline especially when they were under pressure.
The second half belonged to the B&I Lions as they found their rhythm and penned SA "A" for most of the second half in their own half.
Although both teams "struggled" the SA "A" team with several first-choice Springboks in the team "disappointed" with their efforts on the day. The SA "A" team did not score any points in the second half with their defence the main reason for their win.
Scorers:
South Africa "A": Tries: Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am. Conversions: Morne Steyn (2). Penalty: Morne Steyn.
B&I Lions: Try: Wyn Jones. Conversion: Owen Farrell. Penalties: Owen Farrell (2).
In a last-minute effort to give all the players a chance to show what they are capable of before the Test Series against the British & Irish Lions, South Africa "A" faced the Vodacom Bulls in the Cape Town Stadium. Vodacom Bulls deservedly won the messy game with 17-14.
A game that did not live up to the expectations. The Vodacom Bulls could have won this match with a bigger margin if it was not for their own mistakes. The South Africa "A" players did not do their chance to be selected for the B&I Lions tests any good, I hope.
Scorers:
South Africa "A": Tries: Aphelele Fassi, Wandisile Simelane. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (2). Penalty: Chris Smith.
Vodacom Bulls: Tries: Keagan Johannes, Johan Grobbelaar. Conversions: Johan Goosen (2).
The British & Irish Lions faced the DHL Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium in their last match before facing the Springboks for the first tour test match on 24 July 2021. The B&I Lions continued their dominance over the local franchises with their 49-03 win against DHL Stormers.
The Stormers had a great start in the match but during the last 10 minutes of the first half, they visibly tired as the Lions stepped up the pace. The Lions deservedly led 21-03 at halftime.
The Stormers enjoyed territorial advantage for most of the second half, however, when the Lions attacked they did so with clinical efficiency and scored almost at will when they did attack. The Lions scored seven tries in this match for an easy win.
Scorers:
Stormers: Penalty: Tim Swiel.
B&I Lions: Tries: Adam Beard, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Conan, Zander Fagerson, Louis Rees-Zammit, Sam Simmonds. Conversions: Marcus Smith (7).
We give our impressions of the action and make some predictions for the upcoming matches this week.
Upcoming Fixtures
Wednesday 21/07/2021
14h30 Lions vs Griquas
16h45 Cheetahs vs WP
19h00 Sharks vs Bulls
Saturday 24/07/2021
14h30 Cheetahs vs Sharks
18h00 B&I Lions vs Springboks
Sunday 25/07/221
13h00 Pumas vs WP
15h15 Bulls vs Lions