The Springboks blanked sorry Scotland in a totally one sided affair on Sunday. That they only conceded one score in the second half was scant consolation for a comprehensive defeat.

SCOTLAND 0 vs 28 SOUTH AFRICA
Sunday, November 17, 15:00 GMT, Edinburgh

It was all a bit too easy from the start as South Africa went through the phases as if on the training paddock and barely broke a sweat, putting Willem Alberts over with a half-formed maul. Test rugby is meant to be a fierce contest, but by the quarter hour mark it looked as though the Scots had been summoned to a mid-week scrimmage rather than full-on international.

Looking at the horrendous outfits they had been given to wear, perhaps the miscommunication was understandable. Jim Telfer would argue that an honest player cares not about the dress code, but there is a not-so-subtle psychological effect when a New Zealander puts on the black jersey, or a South African the classic green, and when one looks more likely to feel at home at a Star Trek convention it can’t help but have a dulling effect in the mind.

The trademark Scottish defensive stand then took hold place, where they aspire to absorb as much punishment as possible without conceding points or effecting a turnover. Of course this inevitably takes its toll and predictably the lack of concentration came on offense, as Willie le Roux picked up a loose ball to run untouched over the line. Immediately following it was le Roux once again to the fore, breaking the line and putting a lovely chip kick into space for J.P. Pietersen to dive onto and celebrate his 50th cap in style.

Pietersen exemplified the Scots’ struggles with a thumping tackle on Dave Denton in the second half, sending the big forward careening over the touchline. Coenie Oosthuizen scored the fourth try, a carbon copy of the first, from another textbook rolling maul. Scotland may as well have handed him a cup of tea as he went over, such was the ease at which he went over.

After playing reasonably well against Japan it was a big letdown, and Scotland will have to find a way to recuperate quickly as it doesn’t get any easier with Australia up next on only five days rest. The Springboks will be pleased with their defensive effort, but perhaps disappointed not to score more late in the game. Up next for them is France in what is sure to be a passionate encounter.

SCORING
04 mins – W. Alberts try 0-5
05 mins – P. Lambie try 0-7
30 mins – W. le Roux try 0-12
31 mins – P. Lambie con 0-14
32 mins – J.P. Pietersen try 0-19
33 mins – P. Lambie con 0-21
53 mins – C. Oosthuizen try 0-26
54 mins – P. Lambie con con 0-28

CARDS
70 mins – M. Coetzee yellow (repeat team infringements)

SCOTLAND
S. Maitland; T. Seymour (M. Evans 65), N. De Luca, D. Taylor, S. Lamont; R. Jackson (D. Weir 55), G. Laidlaw (capt.) (C. Cusiter 69); A. Dickinson (R. Grant 55), R. Ford (S. Lawson 55), M. Low; R. Gray (J. Gray 62), J. Hamilton; A. Strokosch, J. Barclay (J. Beattie 65), D. Denton.

SOUTH AFRICA
W. le Roux; J.P. Pietersen, J. Fourie, J. de Villiers (J.J. Engelbrecht 71), B. Habana; P. Lambie, F. du Preez (R. Pienaar 65); G. Steenkamp (T. Mtawarira 57), A. Strauss (B. du Plessis 61), F. Malherbe (C. Oosthuizen 37); B. Botha (E. Etzebeth 59), F. van der Merwe; W. Alberts (M. Coetzee HT), F. Louw (M. Steyn 75), D. Vermeulen.

Referee: J. Garces (FFR)
Assistants: P. Gauzere (FFR) & D. Phillips (IRFU)
TMO: M. Kilgore (IRFU)