| South Africa: (6) 18 |
| Tries: Du Toit, Arendse; Pens: Libbok 2; Con: De Klerk |
| Scotland: (3) 3 |
| Pen: Russell |
Scotland slipped to defeat of their World Cup opener as defending champions South Africa put in a sometimes ruthless and highly effective show in Marseille.
After a fraught and bodily first half wherein Scotland’s ahead pack put in an abrasive efficiency, two fast Springbok tries took the sport away from Gregor Townsend’s aspect.
Pieter Steph Du Toit crashed over for the primary earlier than a beautiful no-look cross-field kick from Manie Libbok put in Kurt-Lee Arendse for one more rating 4 minutes later.
From there, the world champions turned the screw on the set-piece and wore down an more and more ragged Scotland.
The Scots might level to a possible pink card for Jesse Kriel for a harmful sort out within the opening three minutes that was missed by officers, however they had been additionally undone by errors in key moments, notably six lineouts going astray whereas in promising positions.
Townsend’s aspect now face an uphill process to get out of the fiendishly tough Pool B that additionally contains the world’s quantity one-ranked aspect Eire, whereas South Africa bought their title defence off to a strong begin and face Romania subsequent Sunday.
Scotland have a two-week wait to proper their wrongs after they tackle Tonga in Good.
Scotland suffocate underneath stress
A lot was mentioned about Scotland needing to play this sport at a ferocious tempo; to take the ball away from a humungous Springbok pack.
That by no means materialised at any level, however within the first half the way in which the forwards went about taking the sport to their counterparts was admirable.
A scrum penalty proper on half-time felt vital as Finn Russell made no mistake together with his kick to depart the rating 6-3 on the break, Libbok having put over two of his three efforts earlier than that.
Nevertheless it proved the excessive level for Scotland as South Africa brutally re-asserted management. Du Toit was finally the person to batter previous the darkish blue line of defense on 47 minutes, and so they swiftly did additional harm.
Defensive stress pressured Scotland again and finally a turnover yielded ball for Libbok who, having been considerably wayward off the tee, produced the second of the match as his no-look kick-pass discovered Arendse on the wing and he scampered in.
There appeared no method again for Scotland at that time. Penalties mounted, lineouts failed to seek out targets, and their assault struggled to fireside a shot towards South Africa’s blitz defence.
That mentioned, had Darcy Graham used a two-man overlap within the first half as he ought to have, issues may need been completely different. Because it was Scotland ended and not using a attempt, or perhaps a second-half level, to indicate for his or her efforts.
Aside from Libbok’s second of brilliance, there was no champagne rugby from South Africa. After a scrappy first 40 they merely doubled down on what makes them so exhausting to play towards.
Their blitz defence to close down Scotland’s assault pressured errors, and that was mixed with a powerful set-piece and bodily dominance.
It was not maybe a efficiency that may make different sides sit up and take discover – just like the demolition of New Zealand of their last warm-up – however they turned up the warmth simply sufficient to burn Scotland.
They will take into account themselves lucky that Kriel’s sort out on Jack Dempsey, which resulted in a head conflict just like Tom Curry’s on Saturday night, escaped with out punishment.
The Springboks may even count on to enhance as they eye an enormous assembly with Eire on 23 September at Stade de France.
Line-ups
South Africa: Willemse, Arense, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe, Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Nche, Nyakane, Snyman, Van Staden, Vermeulen, Williams, Le Roux.
Scotland: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Grey, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Value, Redpath, Smith.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)