SA 'A' vs Lions aftermath: what the experts said

For the first time on the 2021 tour, the British & Irish Lions tasted the bitterness of defeat as they fell to a physically intimidating and fiery South Africa A team. 

The writing was on the wall in the first half as Lukhanyo Am’s men pummelled the tourists in the opening exchanges with determined vigour, racking up 17 points before referee Jaco Peyper blew the half-time whistle. 

The Lions found some rhythm in the second half as the match-starved Springboks seemed to tire somewhat, but the latter would not relinquish their hold on the game, seeing it through to the end. 

Speaking on skysports.com and expert panel consisting of Maggie Alphonsi, Sam Warburton, Ronan O'Gara and Sir Ian McGeechan shared their thoughts after the game. 

Alphonsi was very complimentary of second-row Maro Itoje: 

"He was brilliant, and he played like a back row - he was everywhere. If you think about his stats, he won six of their own line-outs and made a steal, and in the line-out he was absolutely aggressive and put pressure on (Eben) Etzebeth. 

"He was everywhere in regards to attack, trying to look for those offloads, and we've seen this a lot for England in the Six Nations where he looked for the charge-down. 

"But, for me, what he does so well is leading the defence. When he takes a step up, everyone follows around him and I think he's really stepped up and shown he deserves that No 4 jersey for the Test squad." 

Warburton focussed on the breakdown scene: 

"The breakdown is hard because when you're in the Lions team you're preparing two teams a week and you focus on structure in the week - line-outs, defensive systems, attack plays and scrums," Warburton said. 

"The actual skill of getting to the breakdown first is kind of overlooked because you're looking so much at structure and I think it's something they need to visit in training. 

"It's a skill like passing which every player needs to do and it's only highlighted when you see a first half like that where South Africa were all over the ball. 

"I've noticed it creeping in the last few games, the Lions are slow and that first man is slow, so when South Africa win that jackal turnover it's not necessarily good turnover, it's because the Lions are too slow and too high, so that's mindset you can change in training." 

O’Gara emphasised the importance of keeping a lead on South Africa: 

"If they're smart in attack and keep the ball, then get tempo in their game, they can cause major problems for South Africa. I think this game could be a turning point in the tour. 

"South Africa are a very different team if you have to chase against them rather than lead against them. Their game-plan isn't suited to being behind, but if they lead and keep controlling the scrum and with their aggressive defence and kicking plan, that very much suits them. 

"If the Lions were to lead, I think it causes all kinds of problems and if they can be brave with the ball, I think the Lions will get a lot out of the next three Tests." 

Sir Ian McGeechan took some positives out of the second half: 

"When you look at it, if the Lions felt South Africa's pressure in the first 40 minutes, they know all they've got not to do is give points away. 

"In the end, all of the points came from what the Lions were doing rather than what South Africa were doing and that is a big plus from the Lions. 

"You have a kicking game which is well-structured, you keep a set piece which is structured, and you don't force things, and then gradually it opens up. 

"Then you get tempo in the game because your breakdowns are getting so much quicker one after the other, which is what they did in the second half very well."