RECAP: South Africa A v British and Irish Lions
READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the tour match between South Africa A and British & Irish Lions in Cape Town.
The game has been described as the unofficial fourth Test and will be the first real indicator of what the series holds in store.
The Lions have been forced into a late change.
England’s Owen Farrell will replace Dan Biggar in the starting XV.
The England captain will start at flyhalf owing to a minor ankle sprain to Biggar picked up in training on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) moves to the left wing to replace Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales), with Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) drafted in to start at fullback.
Adams, the Tour’s top try-scorer, drops out of the matchday squad to join his partner via Zoom to witness the birth of his first child.
“Dan’s got a minor ankle sprain which is not worth risking, so Owen comes in at 10,” said The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland.
“We’ve always said family comes first, so naturally Josh drops out as planned to be with his partner. We wish them both our very best wishes for an easy delivery.”
* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!
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Teams
South Africa A: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements (from): 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Damian Willemse, 24 Kwagga Smith, 25 Elton Jantjies
British and Irish Lions- revised: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Conor Murray (captain_, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Tadhg Beirne, 21 Sam Simmonds, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Elliot Daly.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
