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
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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:
TRY! Scotland 0-5 South Africa (Makazole Mapimpi, 5 minutes)
A statement of intent!
What a start from the Springboks! With advantage coming, Handre Pollard goes to his bag, pulling out an iron and measuring his approach beautifully. His crossfield clip is perfectly weighted for Makazole Mapimpi to gather and gallop into the corner. Five minutes, five points.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
Mbonambi is on the money again and here comes the drive, Scotland initially strong but penalised once more. Advantage coming as South Africa look to spread it...
Scotland 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
Van der Merwe kicks to touch and South Africa will play from just inside the Scottish half. Bongi Mbonambbi hits his first lienout and then it is over to the burly men, centre Andre Esterhuizen carrying in a forthright manner.
Scotland make a mess of a ruck legally, but then infringe as they try to further slow the Springboks’ ball. To the corner the visitors go.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
Handre Pollard’s first high hoist is shallower than the fly half would have liked, but Canan Moodie wins it back, the youngster showing off the athleticism that so caught the eye when he made his debut a couple of years ago. Pollard’s next kick is flatter and more angled, trying to find space in behind Duhan van der Merwe, who does well to retreat and claim the mark on the slide.
KICK OFF!
A blast of Christophe Ridley’s whistle and we are underway in Edinburgh.
Scotland vs South Africa
Here we go, South Africa in their familiar colours, Scotland in their change strip which fades from light blue to white.
Anthems
A wonderful rendition of “Flower of Scotland” follows the South African national anthem, tears in the eyes of plenty on the Murrayfield pitch.
Scotland vs South Africa
Kwagga Smith leads South Africa out on the occasion of his 50th cap, a double World Cup winner and former sevens star never perhaps hitting the headlines but such a vital piece off the bench for a long period. A rare start at number eight for him today.
The rest of the two sides follow along behind him. It’s a gorgeous November day in Edinburgh.
Scotland vs South Africa
It’s worth mentioning that while South Africa came out on top eventually in Marseille last year, the Scottish scrum made a couple of first-half statements to keep that World Cup game very, very tight. Pierre Schoeman seems to go under the radar a bit but he’s one of the most consistent looseheads on the planet. His set-piece contest with Thomas du Toit, in flying form for Bath but not necessarily a Springboks regular, should be really, really fun.
Scotland bid to end southern supremacy
It’s been a weekend to forget for the Northern Hemisphere, their southern foes taking all four of the cross-equator clashes so far, including Fiji so brilliantly and maturely in Cardiff just a few minutes ago. New Zealand in Dublin, Australia at Twickenham, Argentina in Udine - can Scotland prevent a clean sweep?
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