British and Irish Lions 2021: Conor Murray leads side for first time against strong South Africa A

Conor Murray hugs Tom Curry in celebrationGetty Images

Scrum-half Conor Murray was a replacement in Saturday's win against the Sharks

South Africa A v British and Irish Lions

Venue: Cape Town Stadium Date: Wednesday, 14 July Kick-off: 19:00 BST

Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Tour captain Conor Murray leads the British and Irish Lions for the first time against a strong South Africa A team in Cape Town on Wednesday.

There are 12 changes to the side that beat the Sharks 71-31 on Saturday, with only Anthony Watson, Chris Harris and Dan Biggar retained.

Faf de Klerk and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among the World Cup stars starting for the coronavirus-hit hosts.

"It is going to be pretty much a Test match," said Murray.

"It is almost a fourth Test. It is only going to sharpen our focus more. It is a massive challenge and good prep for what is to come."

Bundee Aki joins Biggar and Harris in the Lions midfield, while Maro Itoje returns to the pack after recovering from illness.

Wednesday's game goes ahead despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the Springbok camp. taking the side's total number of cases to over 20 since the Lions tour began.

British and Irish Lions: Watson; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Aki, Adams; Biggar, Murray (capt); Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly.

South Africa A: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am (capt), De Allende, Nkosi; Steyn, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Dweba, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements (to be cut to eight players before kick-off): Marx, Oosthuizen, Koch, Janse van Rensburg, Elstadt, H Jantjies, Kriel, Willemse, Smith, E Jantjies.

South Africa announced that captain Siya Kolisi had tested positive for the virus on Sunday, with the entire squad isolating in their hotel rooms last week.

The Lions have travelled to Cape Town for Wednesday's game having played their first three games at altitude in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

'Fine margins' expected in Test selection - Gatland

Getty Images

Wing Josh Adams has scored eight tries for the British and Irish Lions

Opportunities are running out for players to prove they are worthy of a starting Test spot against the Springboks.

The South Africa A game is the Lions' penultimate warm-up fixture before they face the world champions in the first of three Tests on 24 July.

Biggar once again starts and may find his chances of keeping the 10 jersey improved by the absence of Finn Russell, who will be unavailable until the start of the Springboks series because of an Achilles injury.

Gatland said England captain Owen Farrell had been left out because of a "slight abdominal strain", but should return for Saturday's game against the Stormers.

The Lions head coach added that Marcus Smith - who was called up as cover for Russell last Saturday - was likely to be involved in that game.

The back three is one of the most competitive areas and Gatland has moved Watson to full-back, with the prolific Josh Adams on one wing and Louis Rees-Zammit on the other as Duhan van der Merwe is rested.

The Lions head coach also faces difficult decisions in the back row and this time opts for flankers Josh Navidi and Tom Curry, with Taulupe Faletau at number eight.

Forwards Tadhg Beirne and Sam Simmonds are poised to make their mark off the bench, as is Elliot Daly, who has impressed in the centre in the opening games.

"We reiterated [to players] how close some of these selections are going to be," said Gatland.

"There are going to be some fine margins so it's about going out there and making the most of any opportunities."

Gatland added that he was still "waiting to hear" whether his side would return to Johannesburg for the final two Tests as scheduled, or remain in Cape Town to reduce the risk of coronavirus disrupting the series.

Strong Springboks team 'helps Lions immensely'

Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 and will hand over the reins to director of rugby Rassie Erasmus for Wednesday's game.

South Africa beat Georgia in their first Test since winning the 2019 World Cup, before having a second fixture against the same opponents cancelled because of coronavirus outbreaks in the same side.

As a result, Gatland says it is "perfectly understandable" that Nienaber would name a squad that looks closer to a Test team than an A side.

Willie le Roux starts at full-back, with Cheslin Kolbe on the wing and Eben Etzebeth in the second row, while fellow World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am is captain in the absence of Kolisi.

"I probably wasn't expecting it to be as strong as they are but I'm actually delighted," said Gatland.

"It helps our preparation immensely. We'll get a good indication of where both teams are at."

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