The Springboks had to withstand a fierce second-half onslaught from a Scotland side that lost lock Scott Cummings to a new 20-minute red card early on.
Wing Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries as the world champions Springboks returned to the top of the world rankings with a 32-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The Springboks, however, had to withstand a fierce second-half onslaught from a Scotland side that lost lock Scott Cummings to a new 20-minute red card early on.
But although Scotland stayed in touch through the boot of Finn Russell, with the fly-half’s fifth penalty reducing the Springboks’ lead to just four points at 19-15 heading into the last quarter, they were unable to manage a try for the second straight game against South Africa.
Match report: The #Springboks eased to a ninth successive victory over a combative but ultimately out-gunned Scotland – more here: https://t.co/2O9A7Pg7Ua ✅#ForeverGreenForeverGold #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/GrMlItA87O
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 10, 2024
Mapimpi struck twice in the first half as South Africa, fresh from adding this year’s southern hemisphere Rugby Championship title to their back-to-back World Cup triumphs, led 19-9 at the break in their November tour opener.
Scotland pressed hard before Handre Pollard scored South Africa’s first points of the second period with a clutch 65th-minute penalty.
The fly-half’s shot from in front of the posts seven minutes from time then left the Springboks’ two scores ahead before, in the closing moments, replacement forward Jasper Wiese powered over for a try from a scrum as South Africa completed a ninth win in a row over Scotland.
Erasmus made 11 changes to the starting 15 that thrashed Argentina 48-7 in his side’s Rugby Championship finale in September, with scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse the only back to keep his place – a sign of South Africa’s impressive strength in depth.
Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth captained South Africa in a Springbok record-extending 129 Tests, with regular skipper Siya Kolisi one of seven forwards on the bench.
Scotland came into this match fresh from thrashing Fiji 57-17 at Murrayfield last weekend but having lost 18-3 to South Africa when they last played the Springboks at the 2023 World Cup in France.
It wasn't easy, thank you @Scotlandteam for another tough Test 🤝#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/nhVISOSqYL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 10, 2024
It took South Africa just four minutes to open the scoring on Saturday when Pollard’s superb kick-pass found the unmarked Mapimpi.
Scotland were reduced to 14 men when Cummings was sin-binned for an illegal neck roll, with the second row later permanently excluded following a video review.
But under the new 20-minute red card trial, Scotland were back to full-strength 20 minutes later when Max Wiliamson replaced Cummings.
Despite the disruption, two Russell penalties edged Scotland 6-5 ahead.
But the Springboks hit back when prop Thomas du Toit scored his maiden Test try after powering over from a scrappy line-out on the half-hour mark.
Pollard, who missed his first conversion, added the extras as South Africa went 12-6 up.
Russell again cut the Springboks’ lead but they pulled clear again before half-time.
Andre Esterhuizen carried forcefully off a huge South Africa scrum before the ball worked wide to Willie le Roux. The full-back, winning his 98th cap, then struck a delightful chip into the arms of Mapimpi for a try converted by Pollard.
Scotland thought they had a try of their own when Ben White rounded off a fine move but the scrum-half’s score was disallowed for centre Huw Jones’s knock-on in the build-up.
Russell’s fourth penalty early in the second half left Scotland in sight of the Springboks at 12-19 behind.
Erasmus then deployed the latest version of his celebrated ‘Bomb Squad’ as a raft of replacements, including Kolisi, came off the bench, with Etzebeth the only starting Springbok forward left on the field.
Yet it was Scotland who then threatened a try only for Matt Fagerson to knock on in front of the posts after South Africa-born wing Duhan van der Merwe — the Scots’ all-time record try-scorer — was hammered in the tackle by Etzebeth.
Mapimpi was sin-binned as Scotland kept pressing but the Springboks’ line held firm.
South Africa play an England team still smarting from a dramatic 42-37 loss to Australia at Twickenham next weekend, while Scotland face emerging rugby nation Portugal.
AFP
