Yes please! Pretty scrappy in the end, but we’ll take it. Not sure it’s a significant result either way, as both sides will look different next weekend. But I’ll still take it!
+ves:……Sinkler, LCD, Navidi, Jones,Curry, Watson
-ves:…..Fagerson; backs movement outside Farrell; some reckless play (physically) by SA; Lions line speed compared to SA
Well, the series is very definitely on, I don’t think we expected such a strong Bok A selection, but you play the team in front of you.
For the Lions Curry was good, I don’t think the Lions scrum will be battered in the tests, but they do have to work on the breakdown, having said that the Boks were missing their big tighthead
If this was an old fashioned tour with hundreds of fixtures, you could get a really good test team out of that Lions squad.
SA A showed nothing of their attack and made the Lions work really hard for their score. Good line out defence from the Lions but things need to be really tight on attack. That chance for LRZ was an easy try against the Sharks but the pass just made him check and he had 3 defenders trying to stop him.
I do think the Bok management will be happier than Gats and Co. They did this (2/3 Test side) tonight simply because of the complete lack of matches since 2019. Only 1 Test before this, with a lot of players playing sporadically over here and to beat a Lions side that has 5 matches under the belt is very pleasing.
So far I’ve got Jones or Sutherland, Owens or LCD, Furlong
Beard, Itoje (depending on how AWJ performs, or Hendo, this is quite tight
Beirne, A No8, Curry or Watson
Price, Biggar
Duhan, 12, 13, Watson
Hogg or Liambility
Owens or LCD, Jones or Sutherland, Sinks, one of the locks, Watson or Curry, maybe Hendo or Lawes for flexibility. a scrum half who needs to find form, two others
The Aussies played the ‘Pooper’ combo against the Boks to great effect for a number of years, with George Smith +1 before that as scavengers and disruptors for a few more. I wonder if Gats will gamble with both Curry and Watson starting?
Jean de Villiers questions whether the Boks can play with dominant physicality 3 weeks in a row. Points out that the Boks won’t get charge down tries or Kolbe magic every match. 1 out of 3 is right.
Etzebeth being interviewed says the Boks need to work on their scrums and lineouts. Not sure he understands anything else.
JdV says Gats has a difficult balance to achieve this weekend against the Stormers between playing a lesser side, and scoring with ease, and preparing for a much sterner test the following g week. In honour of Gats:
Ovally Balls 
Good decision to take this penalty.
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Kolbe v Harris is one all at the moment
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Or 7-3, ticht.
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SA getting blown off the park. 14 or 15 so far?
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With Finn crocked I hope Biggar gets fit, Gats isn’t going to play Smith in the tests
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TomP, you’re off your head
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Oh dog. Willemse coming on at 12. I am shuddering at what will happen in that channel.
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Damn, Watson was looking good tonight
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SA got a try out of it, ticht. Lions got a penalty. 7-3. QED.
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Oh fuck off
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Match fitness starting to tell? Boks falling off tackles and not the same impact in the tight.
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How did Kolbe stay out of the in-goal area there?
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Deebee, I thought the Lions looked off the pace in the first half, it does seem to be changing, hopefully
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That could be a wonderful finish.
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Ticht, definitely – Lions have upped the ante.
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You’re allowed to place it
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Ah unlucky. Same as with Nkosi’s effort in the first half fantastic defence keeps him out.
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So close
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Vunipola’s been really good since coming on.
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Funny how the bounces and the 50 50 balls go one way and the the other
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Vunipola better than LRZ!
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Mako doing what his brother couldn’t – tackle Kolbe.
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Great stuff Marx! Boks need a bit of momentum and possession.
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Very good by Adam Beard and Itoje.
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Marx is class
ahem
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Brilliant work by Itoje and Curry. A Bok 7 pointer there may havecbeen enough.
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Funnily enough, the Bok bench seems to have added more energy than the Lions one now they’ve both emptied them.
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SA have got three lads under 5 foot 7 on the pitch now.
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I feel gigantic!
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Good tackle by Daly.
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Excellent covering by Daly.
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SA have got three lads under 5 foot 7 on the pitch now.
Woo hoo! Three shorter than me.
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Jessie Kriel at 8. What could go wrong!
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Rassie taking the piss in the last 10 minutes.
His squad’ll have so much confidence after that.
Lions can still do them in the series. It’s pretty close between the two.
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Well, the Lions were pretty piss-poor, and SA were good, especially in defence.
Itoje and Curry played well. LRZ did not have a good game.
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Yes please! Pretty scrappy in the end, but we’ll take it. Not sure it’s a significant result either way, as both sides will look different next weekend. But I’ll still take it!
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Great win for SAA. Massive fizzicality in the first half
Hopefully a learning experience for the lionz. Some definite weaknesses to work on.
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+ves:……Sinkler, LCD, Navidi, Jones,Curry, Watson
-ves:…..Fagerson; backs movement outside Farrell; some reckless play (physically) by SA; Lions line speed compared to SA
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Well, the series is very definitely on, I don’t think we expected such a strong Bok A selection, but you play the team in front of you.
For the Lions Curry was good, I don’t think the Lions scrum will be battered in the tests, but they do have to work on the breakdown, having said that the Boks were missing their big tighthead
If this was an old fashioned tour with hundreds of fixtures, you could get a really good test team out of that Lions squad.
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SA A showed nothing of their attack and made the Lions work really hard for their score. Good line out defence from the Lions but things need to be really tight on attack. That chance for LRZ was an easy try against the Sharks but the pass just made him check and he had 3 defenders trying to stop him.
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Our half backs weren’t great.
Curry did well, as did itoje
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I do think the Bok management will be happier than Gats and Co. They did this (2/3 Test side) tonight simply because of the complete lack of matches since 2019. Only 1 Test before this, with a lot of players playing sporadically over here and to beat a Lions side that has 5 matches under the belt is very pleasing.
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But who knows what part Covid still might play in the series.
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Mako Vunipola may be shifted to the wing to man mark Kolbe too: had two one-on-ones and executed both superbly.
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So far I’ve got Jones or Sutherland, Owens or LCD, Furlong
Beard, Itoje (depending on how AWJ performs, or Hendo, this is quite tight
Beirne, A No8, Curry or Watson
Price, Biggar
Duhan, 12, 13, Watson
Hogg or Liambility
Owens or LCD, Jones or Sutherland, Sinks, one of the locks, Watson or Curry, maybe Hendo or Lawes for flexibility. a scrum half who needs to find form, two others
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TomP, I really hope none at all. We’re now at the business end and with a tight match tonight, it sets up the next few weeks really nicely.
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The Aussies played the ‘Pooper’ combo against the Boks to great effect for a number of years, with George Smith +1 before that as scavengers and disruptors for a few more. I wonder if Gats will gamble with both Curry and Watson starting?
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Only 3 tests together against the Boks, Deebs. Pocock on his own did beat you single-handed that one time.
I’d go with Watson to start and Curry from the bench. You can then go both later or make the straight swap.
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Jean de Villiers questions whether the Boks can play with dominant physicality 3 weeks in a row. Points out that the Boks won’t get charge down tries or Kolbe magic every match. 1 out of 3 is right.
Etzebeth being interviewed says the Boks need to work on their scrums and lineouts. Not sure he understands anything else.
JdV says Gats has a difficult balance to achieve this weekend against the Stormers between playing a lesser side, and scoring with ease, and preparing for a much sterner test the following g week. In honour of Gats:
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Wine is now definitively finished. So am I. Good night!
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