Scotland produced a spirited performance but lacked the courage to cross the line as they suffered a 32-15 defeat to world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Three first-half tries – two from Makazole Mapimpi either side of an opportunistic score from Thomas du Toit – gave the Boks a 19-9 interval lead after the Scots suffered the double setback of a 20th-minute red card for Scott Cummings and a Ben Wit’s attempt was disallowed.
Gregor Townsend’s side rallied impressively after the break to move to within four points, but they were left to rue their inability to cross the whitewash while at the top, with all their points coming from the boot of Finn Russell came.
Defeat in Edinburgh.
Thank you for the incredible support today, Scottish Gas Murrayfield. #AsOne | @autumn pic.twitter.com/qcqeAWcui6
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 10, 2024
South Africa eventually pulled away in the closing stages, with Jasper Wiese’s try in the final action of the match sealing their ninth consecutive victory over Scotland.
The hosts’ cause appeared to have been helped by Rassie Erasmus resting some of his key players for the first of three Tests in Britain this month, although the Boks head coach has been building his bench with brute force and experience in a typical bold 7 period loaded. -1 split.
The visitors took a clinical lead after just four minutes.
Handre Pollard delivered a perfectly balanced kick down the left for Mapimpi and the 34-year-old winger, who also scored a brace in his side’s 30-15 win on their last visit to Murrayfield three years ago, dodged a challenge from Tom Jordan as he slid over the line. Pollard was off track with his conversion attempt.
Scotland thought they had a chance to reduce the deficit when they were awarded a penalty just outside the 22 in the 11th minute.
But as Russell prepared to kick goal, a TMO intervention led to Cummings being sent to the sin bin for a dangerous breakaway in a ruck.
Despite only fourteen men remaining, Scotland got things going in the 17th minute with a Russell penalty.
However, just after the ball flew between the posts, the Scots were dealt another blow when it was confirmed that Cummings’ yellow had been upgraded to a 20-minute red.
Remarkably, Scotland got the lead in the 22nd minute when Russell kicked another penalty.
Their lead lasted just seven minutes as the Boks reasserted their authority when Russell’s Bath teammate Du Toit went over from close range after a lineout fortuitously fell into his arms and left him with a clear path to the whitewash. Pollard added the extras.
Glasgow second rower Max Williamson came on as a substitute for Cummings in the 33rd minute, just in time to see Russell send another penalty between the posts.
But Scotland were undone two minutes later when Mapimpi again charged forward down the left following another crossfield kick, this time from Willie le Roux. Pollard converted.
Scotland thought they were back in it a minute before half-time when White bolted over after being fed by Jordan.
Russell converted to seemingly bring the hosts back to within three points, but the try was subsequently scrapped after the TMO spotted a Huw Jones knock-on in the build-up.
Three minutes into the second half, another Russell penalty kept the Scots within striking distance before the ‘Bomb Squad’ – this time including Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit – entered the fray.
Four attempts without an answer as the #Springboks kick off the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour with a big win in Edinburgh #ForeverGreenForeverGold #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/fVlU4jpVO1
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 10, 2024
However, Scotland were unfazed by the arrival of the Boks big hitters and started to build up quite a bit of steam, throwing the ball around freely and asking serious questions of their visitors.
The pressure earned Mapimpi a yellow card in the 59th minute, punished for a cynical downer.
Despite having the extra man and the momentum to push for a try, Russell opted to send a close range penalty between the posts, bringing his side within four points, but Pollard quickly responded with a penalty of his own to restore the seven points. point advantage.
Pollard kicked another penalty for all in the 74th minute, but sealed the victory before Wiese pushed through at the death to ensure the Boks had a much more comfortable margin of victory than had seemed likely for most of the second half.
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