Ospreys’ poor record against South Africa sides continued as they slipped to a one-point defeat against Lions in the United Rugby Championship.

Tries from Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn and Edwill van der Merwe and 13 points from fly-half Gianni Lombard sealed the win.

Ospreys wing Keelan Giles scored two tries with further scores from Rhys Webb and Dewi Lake.

Toby Booth’s side lost four matches against South African opposition last season and the trend has continued.

Centre switch

George North switched from wing to centre where he played for Wales during the successful 2021 Six Nations tournament and the 2022 summer tour of South Africa.

Flanker Dan Lydiate made his first appearance of the season with his inclusion instead of Jac Morgan, one of four personnel changes to the side that drew 23-23 with Scarlets.

Full-back Max Nagy, wing Luke Morgan and Walsh came into the starting side with Joe Hawkins, Owen Watkin and Gareth Anscombe not included.

Ospreys had a backline reshuffle with North forming a new centre partnership with Michael Collins, who started against Scarlets at full-back.

Nagy started at 15 with Morgan coming in on the wing. Fly-half Walsh made his first Ospreys start following his late touchline conversion that rescued a draw against Scarlets on his competitive debut last week.

Lock Alun Wyn Jones was penalised for a head collision on Nohamba as Lombard missed the initial penalty but slotted over his second attempt.

Ospreys responded with a Keelan Giles try after a quick tap penalty from Rhys Webb and swift hands from Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Beard, Morgan Morris and Luke Morgan.

Walsh converted from the touchline and produced an incisive break to set up Giles for his second try.

A weakness of the Welsh game resurfaced as Ospreys were penalised straight from a restart and number eight Horn capitalised with the Lions’ opening try.

Ospreys scored an inventive third try after a cross-field kick from Nagy was collected by Giles before a brilliant Collins inside pass set the foundations for Webb to snipe over.

Lombard reduced the deficit with his second penalty as Lions trailed by six points at half-time.

Lions flanker Sibusiso Sangweni was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle on Collins.

The 14-man visitors took advantage of Webb spilling the ball from an Ospreys scrum with his opposite number Nohamba sprinting over to score with the deficit coming down to a point.

Booth sent on Wales forwards Jac Morgan and Lake, who made an immediate impression with a try from a driving lineout to secure the attacking bonus point after Nohamba had given away a needless penalty.

Lombard responded with a long-range penalty before Walsh retaliated with a successful kick of his own.

With Nagy down injured, Lions took advantage with a flowing move finished by wing Van der Merwe who glided over after latching onto a long pass.

Lombard’s conversion gave Lions the lead before Walsh fluffed his chance to become the Ospreys’ hero with his missed kick.

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth: “I know how we lost it, but in relation to why, that’s the questions for now.

“We need to get on and learn the lessons we’ve not managed in the first two weeks. We had a lot of control.

“I don’t think we started as well as last week, but we wrestled back control and have relinquished it again.

“That’s the big thing we’ve got to get on top of. Teams are too good in this league.

“When momentum shifts and shifts a lot and quickly, it’s hard to wrestle it back.

“Once you’ve got it, you’ve got to keep it and turn it into points on the scoreboard.”