SOUTH AFRICA SEIZED control of Rugby World Cup Pool B with a 34-16 victory over Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.
The Springboks’ campaign got off to a nightmare start when they suffered a shock defeat to Japan, but they now head a fascinating three-way battle with Scotland and the Brave Blossoms for the two available quarter-final berths.
A typically powerful Springboks display saw them dominate the opening period as Scotland struggled to cause their opponents any problems, but Vern Cotter’s men – who he maintained were not a second-string XV despite making 10 changes – initially made a better fist of things in the second half.
After going in at the break 20-3 down, Tommy Seymour went over to reduce the deficit before a cynical challenge from captain Greig Laidlaw earned him a yellow card and hindered his side’s progress.
The man advantage enabled South Africa to protect their lead and Bryan Habana rounded off the scoring with the Springboks’ third try late on.
The win sends South Africa a point clear of Scotland at the summit, while Japan sit two points further adrift – each with one game left to play.
This was as close to home as Scotland will play during this tournament – St James’ Park being around 100 miles south of Murrayfield – but a healthy South African contingent contributed to a lively atmosphere and it was not long before the travelling Springboks had cause for celebration.
Advertisement
Scotland’s bravery was not rewarded when they opted to kick for touch from an early penalty and they subsequently came under a period of sustained pressure.
Schalk Burger eventually made the crucial grounding after South Africa worked through the phases, although the decision to award the try was made with the help of the television match official after the ball appeared to be held up by a pair of Scottish legs.
Handre Pollard added the extras and extended the Boks’ lead to 13 with two more efforts from the tee.
Laidlaw got Scotland on the board with a penalty on the half-hour mark, but missed his next after Jannie du Plessis was sent to the sin bin.
Scotland were unable to make the extra man count and, in fact, fell further behind themselves – JP Pietersen barging through a gap in the defensive line after receiving the ball from captain Fourie du Preez.
Pollard split the posts with the conversion, but a moment of inspiration from fly-half Duncan Weir then helped haul Scotland back into the match.
After Laidlaw had reduced the arrears by a further three points, Weir intercepted a wayward pass and sprinted almost the length of the pitch – Seymour finishing the job after Weir was caught by Pietersen five metres short.
Pollard responded with a drop goal and Laidlaw’s 10 minutes in the bin for hacking down Habana hurt any Scottish hopes of a comeback.
Weir and Pollard exchanged penalties – the former converting one to the latter’s two - before Habana wrapped up the win by going over seven minutes from the end.
Scorers for South Africa - Tries: Burger, Pietersen, Habana Cons: Pollard (2) Pens: Pollard (4) Drop: Pollard (1)
15. Willie Le Roux
14. JP Pietersen
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian De Allende
11. Bryan Habana
10. Handre Pollard
9. Fourie Du Preez (captain)
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Lodewyk De Jager
6. Francois Louw
7. Schalk Burger
8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein.
Scotland
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Matt Scott
11. Tim Visser
10. Duncan Weir
9. Greig Laidlaw (captain)
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown,
3. WP Nel
4. Richie Gray
5. Jonny Gray
6. Josh Strauss
7. Blair Cowan
8. Dave Denton
Replacements: 16. Ross Ford: 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Jon Welsh, 19. Tim Swinson, 20. Ryan Wilson, 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22. Pete Horne, 23. Sean Lamont.
South Africa take control of Pool B with win over Scotland
South Africa 34
Scotland 16
SOUTH AFRICA SEIZED control of Rugby World Cup Pool B with a 34-16 victory over Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.
The Springboks’ campaign got off to a nightmare start when they suffered a shock defeat to Japan, but they now head a fascinating three-way battle with Scotland and the Brave Blossoms for the two available quarter-final berths.
A typically powerful Springboks display saw them dominate the opening period as Scotland struggled to cause their opponents any problems, but Vern Cotter’s men – who he maintained were not a second-string XV despite making 10 changes – initially made a better fist of things in the second half.
After going in at the break 20-3 down, Tommy Seymour went over to reduce the deficit before a cynical challenge from captain Greig Laidlaw earned him a yellow card and hindered his side’s progress.
The man advantage enabled South Africa to protect their lead and Bryan Habana rounded off the scoring with the Springboks’ third try late on.
The win sends South Africa a point clear of Scotland at the summit, while Japan sit two points further adrift – each with one game left to play.
This was as close to home as Scotland will play during this tournament – St James’ Park being around 100 miles south of Murrayfield – but a healthy South African contingent contributed to a lively atmosphere and it was not long before the travelling Springboks had cause for celebration.
Scotland’s bravery was not rewarded when they opted to kick for touch from an early penalty and they subsequently came under a period of sustained pressure.
Schalk Burger eventually made the crucial grounding after South Africa worked through the phases, although the decision to award the try was made with the help of the television match official after the ball appeared to be held up by a pair of Scottish legs.
Handre Pollard added the extras and extended the Boks’ lead to 13 with two more efforts from the tee.
Laidlaw got Scotland on the board with a penalty on the half-hour mark, but missed his next after Jannie du Plessis was sent to the sin bin.
Scotland were unable to make the extra man count and, in fact, fell further behind themselves – JP Pietersen barging through a gap in the defensive line after receiving the ball from captain Fourie du Preez.
Pollard split the posts with the conversion, but a moment of inspiration from fly-half Duncan Weir then helped haul Scotland back into the match.
After Laidlaw had reduced the arrears by a further three points, Weir intercepted a wayward pass and sprinted almost the length of the pitch – Seymour finishing the job after Weir was caught by Pietersen five metres short.
Pollard responded with a drop goal and Laidlaw’s 10 minutes in the bin for hacking down Habana hurt any Scottish hopes of a comeback.
Weir and Pollard exchanged penalties – the former converting one to the latter’s two - before Habana wrapped up the win by going over seven minutes from the end.
South Africa
15. Willie Le Roux
14. JP Pietersen
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian De Allende
11. Bryan Habana
10. Handre Pollard
9. Fourie Du Preez (captain)
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Lodewyk De Jager
6. Francois Louw
7. Schalk Burger
8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein.
Scotland
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Matt Scott
11. Tim Visser
10. Duncan Weir
9. Greig Laidlaw (captain)
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown,
3. WP Nel
4. Richie Gray
5. Jonny Gray
6. Josh Strauss
7. Blair Cowan
8. Dave Denton
Replacements: 16. Ross Ford: 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Jon Welsh, 19. Tim Swinson, 20. Ryan Wilson, 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22. Pete Horne, 23. Sean Lamont.
Japan beat Samoa to stay in the hunt for a World Cup quarter-final berth
Bonus point win and resurgence of a spark for Leinster
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Full time rwc 15 Scotland South Africa World Cup