South Africa A in England 2026, LIONS vs SA-A 2nd Unofficial Test Match Report, May 29 – 31, 2026

South Africa A 278 (Hermann 103, Crocombe 4-65, Jack 4-85) and 75 for 2 (Hermann 32*) beat England Lions 193 (Ekansh 95, van Vuuren 5-53) and 158 (Rehan 44, van Vuuren 6-52) lead by eight wickets

South Africa A needed just one session to wrap up an eight-wicket victory over England Lions on day three of this unofficial Test match at the County Ground, Beckenham.

Fast bowler Tiaan van Vuuren finished with career best first-class figures of 6 for 52 – and match figures of 11 for 105 – as the Lions were bowled out for 158, leaving South Africa A with a small target of 74 runs for victory.

It took the tourists just over 17 overs to get there, Jordan Hermann following up his first innings century with an unbeaten effort of 32 while Zubayr Hamza also saw the chase home on 28 not out.

With England Lions five down overnight, it took South Africa A just 47 minutes to wrap up the innings. Rehan Ahmed, unbeaten on 44 at stumps on day two, failed to add to his score as he flicked van Vuuren to Tony de Zorzi at midwicket in the third over of the day.

Ekansh Singh was next to go as a delivery from van Vuuren tailed in just enough to take the inside edge on the way through to wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile. Ekansh added a score of 30 to his knock of 95 in the first innings.

In the next over, Liam Patterson-White was the third man of the morning to fall as he chipped Dane Patterson to South Africa A captain Marques Ackerman at mid-off.

Van Vuuren completed his five-wicket haul when Eddie Jack nicked an attempted drive outside off to Qeshile. His sixth wicket, the final England dismissal, came just two balls later as No. 11 Naavya Sharma was trapped lbw for a duck.

England Lions lost their last five wickets for 24 runs, presenting the touring South African side with a small chase for victory.

A wicket did fall with the score still on nought, opener de Zorzi struck on the back leg by Jack and adjudged lbw. Sharma removed the other South African opener, Lesego Senokwane for 8 when he nicked behind to Liam Patterson-White at slip.

After his century in the first innings, Hermann continued his fine form, a pair of drives down the ground offering some of the highlights of this short day’s play. A flick off the pads, a cut in front of square and a sweep to score the winning runs were Hermann’s other boundary options as he ended unbeaten.

Hamza was the other not out batter as South Africa A wrapped up the chase. He enjoyed taking on Patterson-White, dancing down the track to hit one maximum over mid-on before staying in his crease to repeat the dose a few overs later. His third and final boundary came when driving Ekansh through mid-off.

With Asa Tribe given a bowl as the winning target drew nearer, Hermann ended the match with a sweep through square leg.

With this victory, South Africa A have now won both unofficial Tests on their tour of England. These two sides will now contest a three-match 50-over series starting on Friday.

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