British and Irish Lions vs Stormers LIVE: Result and reaction from South Africa tour match

Follow live reaction from the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series begins next weekend

Warren Gatland on Alun Wyn Jones' possible return to Lions duty

Follow live reaction after the British and Irish Lions beat the Stormers in the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series.

Scrumhalf Ali Price impressed as the visitors scored seven tries in a comfortable 49-3 victory on Saturday. It was another slow start for the Lions in the opening 20 minutes but once they found their groove they were far too strong for the hosts, who battled with the tourists’ impenetrable wall of defence and quick ball at the breakdown.

Price allowed them to play with that high tempo in the opening hour and he must now be putting pressure on tour captain Conor Murray for a starting place in the first test against the world champion Springboks at the same venue next weekend.

Loose-forward Hamish Watson was an aggressive runner with ball in hand as was excellent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, while more good news for coach Warren Gatland was the return of lock Alun Wyn Jones who got 30 minutes under his belt after dislocating his shoulder three weeks ago. Follow all the reaction:

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[17 July 2021 17:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 16 minutes

NO TRY! The hooker powers over but it’s a penalty to the Stormers. It’s a tactic we see so often for Exeter from Cowan-Dickie, and it usually pays dividends, but an extra roll after being tackled as he spies the white of the try line is pulled up by Wayne Barnes, much like Josh Adams was earlier. No consultation with the TMO required - the Stormers survive.

[17 July 2021 17:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 15 minutes

Again the Stormers sack the maul expertly, forcing the Lions to go to plan b, picking and driving but struggling for initial headway. Again the Stormers infringe, though, and Luke Cowan-Dickie taps and goes...

[17 July 2021 17:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 14 minutes

Luke Cowan-Dickie again hits his jumper at the lineout but the Stormers destroy the maul superbly. Their forwards’ fine work is wasted by the backs, however, over-eager to get off the line at the Lions and offside. Marcus Smith sticks the penalty in the corner.

[17 July 2021 17:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 12 minutes

The Lions haven’t quite got going yet but they are varying their attack well. The Stormers are offside as Ali Price brings his forwards around the fringes, a little fortunate for the Lions, because Tadhg Beirne had isolated himself and a turnover penalty appeared likely. A good carry from Jack Conan in that movement.

[17 July 2021 17:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 12 minutes

Luke Cowan-Dickie therefore goes to what he knows - a long throw to the back to Exeter clubmate Jonny Hill. The Stormers concede a soft penalty as he comes to ground and the Lions are thus able to clear their lines.

[17 July 2021 17:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 10 minutes

Good again from Tadhg Beirne. He’s such a complete player and he nicks one at the breakdown as the Stormers fail to get their clearing group assembled quickly enough. The two sides exchange kicks, with the Lions twice throwing lineouts quickly, and Stuart Hogg carries well to the Stormers’ ten-metre, but Hamish Watson is caught behind the gainline, and only more deft footwork from Hogg saves the Lion being forced further back.

And that’s a thumping - Neethling Fouche dumps Tadhg Beirne on his back and the Stormers counter-ruck to steal the ball. A clever territory-gainer with the boot follows. The Lions will have to throw a lineout from deep in their own territory.

[17 July 2021 17:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 8 minutes

Adams is in the game again off the lineout, but this time infringes, an extra wriggle or two after being tackled to try and ensure perfect presentation of the ball but rightly pulled up for failing to release before doing so. Penalty to the Stormers.

[17 July 2021 17:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 7 minutes

Loose, very loose from the Stormers. Tadhg Beirne again pressures a shaky looking set-piece as he leaps well and then Tim Swiel spins a hopeful (and hopeless) pass to no-one in particular. Josh Adams hacks the ball long and forces Edwill van der Merwe to slip’n’slide over the touchline. Field flipped, Lions ball inside the Stormers half.

[17 July 2021 17:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 6 minutes

A little bit lazy from Rory Sutherland, lingering around the side of a ruck he was slow to vacate and blocking Godlen Masimla’s pass. A penalty to the Stormers, poked down towards the 22 - just inside, in fact, and JJ Kotze will throw an attacking lineout.

[17 July 2021 17:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Stormers 0-0 Lions, 5 minutes

Finally we find a modicum of stability and the Stormers play to the blindside, Sergeal Petersen the first receiver, and trying to zip a grubber kick down the touchilne. Marcus Smith gets his boot to it to block it out of play.

The Lions nick the lineout and look to attack from about ten yards beyond their 22-metre line, with Smith settling in rather nicely, barking orders, and allowing Ali Price clearing duties. The scrum-half’s box is long and Petersen returns with interest to just beyond haflway.