The Test at the home of Scottish rugby saw a lot of free flowing rugby during the first half, however, it was a lot tighter affair during the second forty minutes. South Africa, however, managed to hold their nerve in the tense moments to retain their unbeaten status over the Scots since 2010.

The Springboks were the first to score at the iconic stadium, when Handré Pollard broke the line and ultimately the centre, Jesse Kriel, managed to crash over for a converted try.

The host didn’t take too long to strike back with an equally brilliant try by Peter Horne. The captain, Greig Laidlaw, made no mistake in adding the extra two points.

Just two minutes later, Pollard, crossed the try-line to extend South Africa’s lead, and he added the conversion as well.

Laidlaw landed a penalty some five minutes later, to remain within striking distance, before the flanker, Hamish Watson, strolled in from a lineout to level matters.

Just before the break, Pollard landed a second penalty to see South Africa lead 20-17 at half time.

Scotland’s only points in the second stanza came via a Laidlaw penalty after the French referee, Romain Poite, wrongly yellow carded the Springbok fullback, Willie le Roux, for a deliberate knock-down, when he clearly attempted an intercept. Had Le Roux managed to hold on to the ball there is no doubt that he would have been away for the try.

Pollard managed to regain those three conceded points with a third penalty, however, he did not succeed in his next two attempts. He did manage to score 18 points in the Test which was good enough to earn himself the man of the match award.

The replacement flyhalf, Elton Jantjies, slotted the final penalty of the match which was enough to seal the deal for South Africa.

Following the Test, the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, said those ten minutes when Le Roux was in the sin-bin was crucial.

“It was very important, and the boys knew that. 

“We made a couple of plans and we stuck to it, so we did manage that crucial period very well.”

The Scottish skipper, Laidlaw, in his turn conceded that South Africa neutralised them at the breakdown.

“We couldn’t generate any quick-ball. It is difficult for me to comment off the back of a game, but we are very disappointed with that, and we will need to address that and make sure that we generate quick-ball.”

South Africa next travel to Wales where that will face the Red Dragons on Saturday in Cardiff in their final Test for 2018.

Scorers:

Scotland: Tries – Peter Horne, Hamish Watson Conv. – Greig Laidlaw 2 Pen. – Laidlaw 2.

Springboks: Tries – Jesse Kriel, Handré Pollard Conv. – Handré Pollard 2 Pen. – Pollard 3, Elton Jantjies.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport