Scotland vs South Africa as it happened: Result and reaction after late surge takes Springboks to victory
Scotland 15-32 South Africa: The world champions overcame a fighting performance from the hosts to open their November campaign with a win
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South Africa overcame a battling showing from Scotland at Murrayfield to emerge as 32-15 victors in their Autumn Nations Series opener.
The Springboks were short of their best in Edinburgh and made to earn every point by the hosts, who were right in the fight for much of the contest despite losing Scott Cummings to a red card 20 minutes in. A handful of missed opportunities came to cost Gregor Townsend’s side, though, and a late surge from the world champions widened the final margin.
Makazole Mapimpi’s first-half double had put South Africa in control, though Scotland refused to go away, with Tom Jordan impressing from full-back and their forwards fronting up strongly. But while they survived the initial impetus of the Springboks’ seven bench forwards, that injection of power eventually told, with Jasper Wiese scoring in the final moments from an emphatic pushover scrum.
Re-live all of the action from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Second half...
While we wait for the second half to begin, here’s a look inside the mind of Springboks supremo Rassie Erasmus...
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say we are bullies who don’t care what others think – we do’
As they embark on their northern tour, the Springboks are on a charm offensive. Their charismatic director of rugby tells Harry Latham-Coyle why South Africa are trying to change and the secrets to his side’s success
HT: Scotland 9-19 South Africa
It has been clunky at times from South Africa, but their ability to take their chances in the red zone has been impressive - while there was an element of luck about Thomas du Toit’s try from a lineout, the two assisting kicks from Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux were superb.
We know Scotland won’t go away, though, and they have generally got their discipline spot on - Cummings’s crocodile roll aside.
HT: Scotland 9-19 South Africa
It’s been fierce, physical and lacking in a little bit of accuracy, and the Springboks head to the sheds the happier of the two sides. Scotland have stuck in there superbly despite Scott Cummings’s dismissal and would have been right in touch had there not been a fumble in the lead-up to Ben White’s lovely score, but a ten point deficit feels large given the considerable resources on the South African bench.
Scotland 9-19 South Africa, 40 minutes
The Springboks front row munch their Scottish counterparts to draw a penalty as the clock ticks into the red. The penalty fails to find touch, though, Finn Russell keeping the ball in play before booting it out to send everyone down the tunnel.
NO TRY! Scotland 9-19 South Africa, 39 minutes
And how about that! A brilliant backs move, a blind pass from Sione Tuipulotu putting Tom Jordan through a gap and Ben White supporting superbly to finish it off.
BUT IT WON’T COUNT! A knock on earlier in the movement is picked up by TMO Ian Tempest and it’ll be chalked off.
Scotland 9-19 South Africa, 38 minutes
An important few minutes for Scotland, these. They’ve shown glimpses but probably need another score before half time to stay in touch.
TRY! Scotland 9-19 SOUTH AFRICA (Makazole Mapimpi, 36 minutes)
Delicious! Willie le Roux cooks up a perfect kick and Makazole Mapimpi gobbles up the goods!
It’s truly magical from the veteran full-back. There is the advantage to come back to, so he can afford to try something, but it’s still supreme skill on the run, spotting that the pass out to his wing is cut off and therefore lifting the most delectable little chip over the top. Mapimpi has a brace and South Africa are beginning to flourish.
Scotland 9-12 South Africa, 35 minutes
South Africa’s scrum goes to work, drawing a penalty. Can the backs produce the moves to finish it off? Fancy feet and handling from Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen put Scotland on the back foot...
Scotland 9-12 South Africa, 34 minutes
Neither side can find any flow or fluency. Ben White takes his time over a ruck after his teammates safely defuse South Africa’s restart but Christophe Ridley gives him the hurry up, and the scrum half’s failure to heed the referee’s urging will bring about a Springboks scrum.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments