Springboks claim world No.1 throne from Ireland

Clinical South Africa gave another great defensive display to beat Scotland 32-15 at Murrayfield on Monday (AEDT).

The scoreline flattered South Africa but the world champion will regain the No.1 ranking from Ireland when it’s updated.

Scotland closed to within four points of the Springboks during a third quarter purple patch but rushes of blood and the visitors’ scramble defence prevented the try that the home side desperately wanted and needed.

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The Scots, restricted to five Finn Russell penalties, also didn’t score a try in their Rugby World Cup pool matchup in Marseille 14 months ago.

“I thought the last bit of execution really let us down, especially in the finish zone, close to the line,” Scotland’s Australian born-and-raised captain Sione Tuipulotu said.

“We were down there for a big part of that second half and we didn’t walk away with tries that we should have, so we’ve got to take responsibility for that. The game was there to be won and we didn’t execute.”

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South Africa expertly shut out Scotland in the last quarter, with its scrum dominating, the benefit of putting almost a whole new pack on the park in the second half.

Stand-in captain Eben Etzebeth was the only forward to play through.

“The scoreline flatters us a bit,” Etzebeth said.

“It was a great performance from the guys and a great one to start with. Credit to (defence coach) Jerry Flannery, we put a lot of effort and detail into keeping teams out.”

The Springboks chose a 7-1 bench packed with forwards for the first time since the World Cup final so they’re fresher in a six day turnaround to England, the main target of their British tour.

They didn’t visit the Scotland 22 that often but came away with points almost every time – scoring four tries, two to winger Makazole Mapimpi.

The only two penalty kicks Handre Pollard lined up and landed were in the last 15 minutes, when they finally broke Scotland.

Their breakdown work and scrum’s reliability against Scotland compensated for a heavy penalty count in the first hour that didn’t even out until the end.

“It’s certainly not a performance we’re very proud of,” coach Rassie Erasmus said.

But his Boks also did start better.

Mapimpi was in after four minutes from a Pollard crosskick.

Scotland lock Scott Cummings appeared to be harshly yellow carded for a crocodile roll on counterpart Franco Mostert, but it was upgraded to a 20 minute red card.

Even so, Russell kicked Scotland ahead 6-5.

South Africa shot back in front too easily after Lukhanyo Am won a turnover on defence.

A lineout overthrow fell to prop Thomas du Toit who had a free run to the line for his first Test try.

After Russell’s third penalty, South Africa scored its third try from four appearances in the 22.

Mapimpi bagged his second try catching a lovely chip from Willie le Roux for 19-9.

Right on halftime, Scotland’s Ben White had a try rubbed out by a Huw Jones knock on but the hosts were merely teasing a thrilling third quarter.

Centres Jones and Tuipulotu, rookie fullback Tom Jordan and Russell conjured brilliant attacks that tore apart the South Africans and brought Murrayfield to its feet.

But they couldn’t complete the last pass.

The highlight was a weaving, 35m run by Jones that beat six Springboks.

The move died with a pass to nobody.

Scotland’s only reward in the period was two more Russell penalties.

They had a man advantage when Mapimpi was sinbinned but the Springboks used Scotland errors to get out of their half, and a lineout penalty that Pollard turned into three points confirmed the switch in momentum.

The Springboks capped a clinical performance when they demolished Scotland’s scrum for their fourth try, finished by Jasper Wiese.