Stick rues another error-prone SA A performance: 'We only have ourselves to blame'

South Africa A coach Mzwandile Stick expressed his disappointment after his side suffered a 26-18 loss to English club Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday night.

MATCH REPORT | Disjointed South Africa A embarrassed by Bristol Bears

Tries from winger Gabriel Ibitoye and prop Yann Thomas sealed a memorable win for Pat Lam's charges in front of a record crowd of 26 387 supporters, while the flawless boot of flyhalf Callum Sheedy added 16 points from the tee.

SA A scored two second half tries through prop Ntuthuko Mchunu and loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe but that was about all to write home about.

As was the case in a 28-14 defeat to Munster last week, SA A played like a disjointed team. They made too many basic errors and their discipline and execution left much to be desired.

"We only have ourselves to blame," Stick said afterwards.

"We started well, and we were in control, but then we allowed them back in the game. In the beginning our set pieces were good and we played a nice territorial game. But we ended up playing too much rugby in our half and there were some poor errors from our side."

Stick said he wasn't pleased with his side's finishing.

"There were times we got into their 22, but then we panicked, and tried to force things, and I’m not sure why that happened. Hopefully the youngsters will learn from the mistakes. Despite this, they have bright careers ahead of them."

SA A captain Thomas du Toit was equally dejected: "The result was very disappointing for us because we take a lot of pride in the way we play. We made a lot of unforced errors and individual mistakes, and that cost the team.

"That said, the match could certainly have turned out a differently if we had cut out some of the individual errors. Like