Bristol Bears piled more misery on a mis-firing South Africa outfit with a 26-18 victory in front of 26,357 fans at a sold-out Ashton Gate.
The first-choice Springboks have already lost internationals to Ireland and France and now their ‘A’ side followed up last week’s 28-14 defeat to Munster in Cork with another very poor display in the south west of England.
In contrast, Gallagher Premiership strugglers Bristol will be buoyed by this morale-boosting result over a squad containing 12 full internationals in their match-day 23.
Joe Batley and Luke Morahan were at the forefront of the home side’s effort, with the Bears’ tries coming from Gabriel Ibitoye and Yann Thomas. Callum Sheedy converted both and added four penalties.
Ntuthuko Mchunu and Sikhumbuzo Notshe touched down for the visitors, with Johan Goosen converting one and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicking two penalties.
Archie Connelly takes a closer look at the performances from the Bristol Bears players.
15. Luke Morahan – 8
Quality performance from the Australian.
Assured start chasing down his own kick and making an excellent tackle which led to the Bears’ first attack of the half.
Remained composed throughout, fielding the SA kicks with aplomb before showing brilliant pitch awareness to keep his feet in-field with space running out quickly and produce a brilliant pass to set Gabriel Ibitoye up for the first try of the game.
Uncharacteristic error at the beginning of the second half when fumbling into touch thankfully got away with it when the visitors failed to make touch from a penalty moments later.
He provides a huge threat on the ball when in space and looked destined to score had he not been tripped, but his second half break led to Yann Thomas’ try and gave the Bears a valuable lead.
Came off on 70 minutes having oozed class throughout and been heavily involved in both tries.
14. Deago Bailey – 6
Not a lot to do early on but did exceptionally well in the air to set Joe Batley away on a rampaging run before the Bears went close to scoring the first try.
SA then began to kick to him a lot, raining bombs onto his wing and he was lucky a spilled ball went unpunished.
Quieter than the rest of his backline but still displayed one or to nice moments with albeit limited ball and certainly appears like he could offer something as the season progresses.
13. Piers O’Conor – 7
Looked hesitant on the ball once or twice and then gave away a penalty for offside which allowed the visitors to restore their lead.
However, showed good feet to set up a dangerous Bears attack soon after which led to Sheedy levelling the scores.
Began to show his class in the second half making a couple of eye-catching breaks and when on song provides real moments of quality to this Bristol attack.
It was great to have him back in the side after a couple of weeks out following a failed HIA.
12. Sam Bedlow – 8
Started strongly in defence denying his opposite man to force a turnover. His good work continued and along with his teammates it was his line speed which forced a knock on with SA hammering on the Bears line just before the break and allowed the Bears to go into the break with a 13-6 lead.
Continued to impress in the second period and showed some nice touches in attack including sending Morahan away in the build-up to Bristol's second try and was one of many who enjoyed a fine evening in Blue.
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – 8
The winger reminded everyone he dould be a huge weapon going forward for this Bears side.
It was not the easiest of starts for the winger who knocked on and was caught in possession on his first couple of touches.
However, reacted well and did brilliantly in support to get on the shoulder of Morahan and show his finishing prowess to get the game’s first try and his first in Bears colours having joined in the summer from the Tel Aviv Heat.
Showcased why he’s such a threat, making a brilliant dart before sending Batley into space, sparking another Bears attack. Would have been disappointed not to find his winger though with a poor pass moments later but continued to fizz throughout the game and had a capacity crowd off their feet seemingly whenever he touched the ball
Also made some good reads defensively including an important covering tackle with the visitors threatening to get back in the game. A fine night for the winger.
Post match, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “ Gabs was all set to go at the start of the season. He was all ready to start that first game and in the pre-season game actually and he got a slight twinge in his quad. So it was a false start and then he came out against Sarries and showed what he can do. He’s tremendous. “
10. Callum Sheedy – 8
A superb display from the Welshman who stepped up to be counted when needed.
Enjoyed a good first half, mixing up his game well and certainly looked more dangerous than in recent weeks.
Stood up in defence as well and unlucky not to regather his own charge down at the beginning of the second half.
Was also very good off the tee and nailed a 50m penalty to hit back immediately after the Mchunu try and give the Bears a 16-11 lead. Then moments later produced a superb 50-22 to give Bristol a great attacking opportunity.
Finished six out of six off the tee in what was a welcome return to form for the fly-half.
9. Will Porter – 9
Outstanding. The former Wasps scrum half might just might just be one of Pat Lam's best signings in recent years. What is certain is he is going to be a regular for the club.
He did well to put off his counterpart number 9 off at the base of the scrum and force a turnover for his side and wasn’t afraid to have a go in attack, producing a stunning offload, which got Bristol deep into SA territory and earnt them their first points of the game.
His kicking game was also superb and gave the side a real zip in what was a superb display from the former Wasp and looks an astute signing.
Replaced by Uren on 64 minutes and was given a great reception by the home crowd as he walked off. They know they have got a gem.
1. Yann Thomas – 7
Solid enough first half doing well at scrum time and working hard in the loose.
The experienced prop though rallied superbly and smashed his way over for a rare and popular try to give the Bears some breathing room at 23-11. This was his final act before being replaced by Jake Woolmore on 58 minutes.
2. Bryan Byrne – 6
His first throw at the lineout was not straight, not helping to settle nerves in an area which has been a concern all season for the Bears.
There were one or two further wobbles at the lineout but was good around the park and carried with good impact when asked to do some hard yards against a monstrous SA pack.
Replaced by Thacker on 53 minutes having done well in the opening part of the second half.
3. Max Lahiff – 7
For the most part did well at scrum time, bar one penalty and the back end of the first half and did his job in the loose when called upon, making some big collisions in both defence and attack.
Would have been disappointed to drop the ball with Bristol in touching distance of the SA line as it was ripped from his grasp and got stepped by his opposite number which allowed SA to score their first try and reduce the deficit on 48 minutes.
Despite that error the prop had a solid evening and was impressive before he was replaced by Benz-Solomon on 64 minutes.
4. Joe Joyce (c) – N/A
Unfortunately, the skipper was forced from the field with what appeared to be a shoulder injury on 12 minutes.
5. Joe Batley – 9
Another who was exceptional on the night.
His support play was excellent latching on to a brilliant Porter offload and was unlucky when charging the SA kicker down as sadly the ball just went out of play before he could score.
Unlucky to give away a penalty at the start of the second period which relieved pressure on the visitors.
Looked sharp and dynamic throughout and was fierce on the ball in contact. Demonstrated his defensive abilities as well and all round it was a titanic display from the lock.
6. Magnus Bradbury – 7
Carried well and tackled superbly in a busy first period.
Perhaps didn’t stand out like others but still went about his business well and thought he was tidy with the work he did do.
Certainly provides a presence in the Bears pack and can add something as the Bears resume Premiership action next weekend at Sale.
7. Jake Heenan – 7
Industrious as ever and a huge part in what was a resilient defensive performance from the Bears in the first period as he set the tone early with a big tackle that forced a knock on with the visitors seemingly on the verge of scoring.
Continued to perform well in the second half, particularly in defence and was withdrawn on 58 minutes for Sam Lewis after a good evening’s work.
Came back on for Harding and did his job in the final 10 minutes.
8. Fitz Harding – 7
Bright start from the number eight doing well under the high ball on a couple of occasions and latched on to a couple of loose balls well.
Was omnipresent and was physically superb on a night where the Bears needed to match the challenge proposed by their opponents.
Came off with what looked like a head knock on 69 minutes after a good performance.
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker – 7
Dynamic as ever when he came on, hit his jumpers well at lineout time and looked dangerous with ball in hand. Looked to have been away when picking up a loose lineout but was denied by an excellent cover tackle from Jean-Luc du Preez.
Overall, a good cameo from the hooker.
17. Jake Woolmore – 6
On for Thomas and enjoyed a mixed time at scrum time. However, earnt a crucial penalty when the visitors were deep in the Bears territory to all but secure the victory.
Also made some good tackles and was a decent showing from the loos-head
18. Jonathan Benz-Salomon – 6
Came on against Saracens and scored in the most recent Premiership encounter and put in another good performance.
Made some eye-catching tackles in defence when on and also like Woolmore scrummaged well at crucial times to relieve pressure and certainly is a player to keep an eye on going forward.
19. John Hawkins - 7
On for the skipper inside 15 minutes and did well to seize on the knock back from Bailey and get Bristol into the SA twenty-two.
20. Sam Lewis – 6
On for Heenan with 20 minutes to go and did fine, made his tackles and continued the good standards that the Bears had set.
Helped get his side over the line in an historic evening at Ashton Gate.
21. Andy Uren – 5
On for the hugely impressive Will Porter and tried to continue in the same vein and couldn’t quite have the same impact albeit still had some bright moments in and around the breakdown.
Unfortunately fumbled the ball under huge pressure at the back of the final scrum of the game which allowed South Africa to score their second try, albeit a consolation.
22. Joe Jenkins – N/A
23. Rich Lane – N/A
Came on for Morahan with nine minutes to go but was not on long enough to give a fair judgment. Will be disappointed as he dropped the ball having been put into space on the wing.
