South Africa rack up four tries in battling victory over Scotland

South Africa resisted a spirited challenge from an energised Scotland side to begin the Autumn Nations Series with a 32-15 Test match win at Murrayfield.

The world champions scored all the tries in a frantic battle in Edinburgh with Makazole Mapimpi (4′, 35′) , Thomas du Toit (30′) and Jasper Wiese (79′) helping the Springboks reclaim the world No. 1 ranking from New Zealand with a battling victory.

Scotland were not helped by a harsh upgraded TMO red card for Scott Cummings for foul play that saw them play half the first half with 14 men and were denied a try before the break when Ben White saw a brilliant score ruled out for an earlier knock-on by Huw Jones.

Finn Russell kicked five penalties as Gregor Townsend’s side reduced the gap to 19-15 just after the hour mark, with Mapimpi receiving a yellow for a deliberate knock-on, before the fearsome forward power and famed game-management skills of the visitors helped them ease clear with the boot of Handre Pollard weighing in with 13 points.

Scotland, who next face Portugal on Saturday, remain without a win against South Africa since 2010 with England next up for the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Talking Point: A familiar story for Scotland against impressive world champions

It is certainly no disgrace to lose to South Africa, but Townsend’s side again just failed to find the cutting edge that could have turned a tight match in their favour.

For the second straight match after the 18-3 defeat at the World Cup last year, Scotland failed to score a try against Rassie Erasmus’s rotating Springboks, who again brought on the ‘Bomb Squad’ of seven fresh forwards early in the second half to help them protect their advantage.

Despite the debatable red card for Scotland lock Cummings for a croc roll in the first half, it is difficult to suggest South Africa were not worth the win with their ability to grind out victories in the final 20 minutes so impressive.

It is perhaps the key asset in their ongoing supremacy in the world game.

Player of the Match: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

A towering performance from the 129-capped captain of the Springboks as he helped quell Scottish resistance amid some breathless attacking surges in the second half before the world champions saw out the victory in some style.

“It was a tough Test match, Scotland are always tough to play against,” he said on TNT Sports. “The scoreline flatters us a bit. They were much closer than the scoreline. It was a great performance from the guys.”

Player Ratings

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 So much pressure coming on from the Springboks before Makazole Mapimpi goes over in the corner. South Africa opting against the penalty chance, and get the reward with Mapimpi racing onto the Pollard crossfield kick to go over. Pollard missing the conversion.

33′ TRY! SCOTLAND 9-19 SOUTH AFRICA South Africa penalised for not rolling away but then Ben White is called out for not using it. Springboks with so many options off the scrum and Willie Le Roux chips the ball over for Makazole Mapimpi to go over for his second try of the day. Pollard with the conversion. Brilliant try.

37′ SCOTLAND HAVE A TRY RULED OUT! Ben White thought he had produced a stirring try score for the home side, but the TMO gets involved to bring it back for a knock-on. Scotland remain 10 points adrift despite Russell popping over the conversion. Jones the man penalised. That is frustrating.

61′ SCOTLAND HAPPY TO TAKE THE POINTS Another three from Finn Russell via a penalty, and Scotland are back to within four points. Only 19-15 points behind here. Scotland working the big men of South Africa, who are down to 14. Have the bit between their teeth. What a finish is coming up.

79′ TRY! SCOTLAND 15-32 SOUTH AFRICA They use the ball superbly well at the scrum before pushing the home side back at will. Scotland’s scrum is dismantled and Jasper Wiese puts away the try. Pollard with the conversion. Games, set and match.

Key Stat

South Africa racked up a ninth straight win against the home side. Scotland last defeated the Springboks at home in 2010 when they claimed a 21-17 win, but South Africa have now won 16 of the last 17 tussles in the fixture.

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