Stick implores SA A halfbacks to push for Springbok selection contention for England Test

South Africa A coach Mzwandile Stick has instructed his halfback pairing for Thursday's game against Bristol Bears to put in a performance that will see them fight for spots against England next week.

The Sharks' Grant Williams will partner the Stormers' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomzeulu in a new 9-10 axis at the Ashton Gate Stadium.

Stick made five changes to the starting XV that lost 28-14 to Munster in Cork last week. Thursday's match-day squad features 12 capped Springboks. 

Herschel Jantjies and Johan Goosen were tasked with starting that game last week. Williams was on the bench and Feinberg-Mngomezulu was in camp with the Springboks.

An injury to Aphelele Fassi formed part of Feinberg-Mngomezulu's inclusion with the SA A team on Sunday. 

"I'm excited to see what they can do. Grant has been waiting for his opportunity and I was happy with his impact last week," Stick told reporters on Monday.

"Both guys have been with [the] Springbok set-up and they know how we play. Last week we were guilty of not managing the game well.

"Grant knows our philosophy and playing style. They've got X-factor and I encourage them to bring what makes them special, but when you're playing in the northern hemisphere you need to make sure you play the conditions very well. That's going to be the challenge for those two, but the X-factor is welcome."

Stick said he hopes Williams and Feinberg-Mngomezulu play well enough to put their hands up for a look-in next week against England.

"I'm happy for youngsters to get a chance ... Sacha has shown to have a good head on his shoulders (leading the Junior Springboks) and the expectation is for him to manage the game as best he can for us.

"Hopefully with the game time, they will be selected for that last match