SCOTLAND 3 SOUTH AFRICA 72

Scotland were under pressure from the kick-off but South Africa had to be content with a drop goal by fly half Francois Brummer for their first points.

Brummer then added a penalty goal before converting a try by flanker Johan van Deventer from a driven line-out.

The South Africa points flow continued as left wing Lionel Mapoe finished a flowing backline move with a try under the posts, leaving Brummer with an easy conversion kick.

Scotland finally claimed their first points with a penalty from fly half Jamie Murray, but the respite was only temporary as South Africa struck with a another try from right wing Stephan Dippenaar, converted from the touchline by Brummer.

South Africa then turned defence into attack to produce a spectacular finish as Mapoe ran in his second try from outside centre Stefan Watermeyer’s surge up the touchline to give the Baby Boks a 32-3 interval advantage.

Scotland’s initial pressure in the second half looked promising but South Africa resisted skillfully and soon returned to the attack, with a surging run by prop Corne Fourie that gave second row Martin Muller his side’s fifth try, converted by Brummer.

The scoreboard then went into overdrive as full back Wilton Pietersen ran in two tries, followed by one apiece from replacement hooker Pieter Janse Van Vuuren, replacement wing Omphile Seabela and four further conversions from Brummer to complete the win.

QUOTES

South Africa coach Eric Sauls: “Another good performance but we have to keep our feet on the ground. For the game against Samoa we have to do the things we’re good at – scrums, line-outs, and mauls. And we have a few good backs who can break the line.”

Scotland captain Lewis Calder: “Right from the start we struggled with the pace and physicality of South Africa. We played some decent rugby but as the game went on they grew stronger and stronger. We now have to pick ourselves up for the game against USA.”

This article was originally posted on 10-Jun-2008, 19:58 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 10-Jun-2008, 21:43.