South Africa resisted a spirited problem from an energised Scotland facet to start the Autumn Nations Sequence with a 32-15 Take a look at match win at Murrayfield.
The world champions scored all of the tries in a frantic battle in Edinburgh with Makazole Mapimpi (4′, 35′) , Thomas du Toit (30′) and Jasper Wiese (79′) serving to the Springboks reclaim the world No. 1 rating from New Zealand with a battling victory.
Scotland weren’t helped by a harsh upgraded TMO pink card for Scott Cummings for foul play that noticed them play half the primary half with 14 males and have been denied a attempt earlier than the break when Ben White noticed a superb rating dominated out for an earlier knock-on by Huw Jones.
Finn Russell kicked 5 penalties as Gregor Townsend’s facet diminished the hole to 19-15 simply after the hour mark, with Mapimpi receiving a yellow for a deliberate knock-on, earlier than the fearsome ahead energy and famed game-management abilities of the guests helped them ease clear with the boot of Handre Pollard weighing in with 13 factors.
Speaking Level: A well-known story for Scotland in opposition to spectacular world champions
It’s actually no shame to lose to South Africa, however Townsend’s facet once more simply failed to search out the leading edge that might have turned a decent match of their favour.
For the second straight match after the 18-3 defeat on the World Cup final 12 months, Scotland failed to attain a attempt in opposition to Rassie Erasmus’s rotating Springboks, who once more introduced on the ‘Bomb Squad’ of seven contemporary forwards early within the second half to assist them shield their benefit.
Regardless of the debatable pink card for Scotland lock Cummings for a croc roll within the first half, it’s troublesome to counsel South Africa weren’t definitely worth the win with their potential to grind out victories within the remaining 20 minutes so spectacular.
It’s maybe the important thing asset of their ongoing supremacy on this planet recreation.
Participant of the Match: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
A towering efficiency from the 129-capped captain of the Springboks as he helped quell Scottish resistance amid some breathless attacking surges within the second half earlier than the world champions noticed out the victory in some type.
“It was a troublesome Take a look at match, Scotland are all the time powerful to play in opposition to,” he mentioned on TNT Sports activities. “The scoreline flatters us a bit. They have been a lot nearer than the scoreline. It was an incredible efficiency from the blokes.”
Participant Rankings
Scotland: Jordan 8, Kinghorn 8, Jones 7, Tuipulotu 8, Van der Merwe 7, Russell 7, White 7, Schoeman 7, Ashman 7, Z Fagerson 7, Gilchrist 7, Cummings 7, M Fagerson7, Darge 7, Dempsey 7
South Africa: Le Roux 8, Moodie 7, Am 7, Esterhuizen 8, Mapimpi 8, Pollard 8, Hendrikse 7, Nche 7, Mbonambi 7, T du Toit 7, Etzebeth 8, Mostert 7, Van Staden 7, Louw 7, Smith 7
Match Highlights
5′ TRY! SCOTLAND 0-5 SOUTH AFRICA A lot strain approaching from the Springboks earlier than Makazole Mapimpi goes over within the nook. South Africa opting in opposition to the penalty probability, and get the reward with Mapimpi racing onto the Pollard crossfield kick to go over. Pollard lacking the conversion.
33′ TRY! SCOTLAND 9-19 SOUTH AFRICA South Africa penalised for not rolling away however then Ben White known as out for not utilizing it. Springboks with so many choices off the scrum and Willie Le Roux chips the ball over for Makazole Mapimpi to go over for his second attempt of the day. Pollard with the conversion. Good attempt.
37′ SCOTLAND HAVE A TRY RULED OUT! Ben White thought he had produced a stirring attempt rating for the house facet, however the TMO will get concerned to carry it again for a knock-on. Scotland stay 10 factors adrift regardless of Russell popping over the conversion. Jones the person penalised. That’s irritating.
61′ SCOTLAND HAPPY TO TAKE THE POINTS One other three from Finn Russell by way of a penalty, and Scotland are again to inside 4 factors. Solely 19-15 factors behind right here. Scotland working the massive males of South Africa, who’re right down to 14. Have the bit between their enamel. What a end is developing.
79′ TRY! SCOTLAND 15-32 SOUTH AFRICA They use the ball beautifully properly on the scrum earlier than pushing the house facet again at will. Scotland’s scrum is dismantled and Jasper Wiese places away the attempt. Pollard with the conversion. Video games, set and match.
Key Stat
South Africa racked up a ninth straight win in opposition to the house facet. Scotland final defeated the Springboks at dwelling in 2010 once they claimed a 21-17 win, however South Africa have now received 16 of the final 17 tussles within the fixture.
