By Tom Jeffreys
Despite South Africa boasting a comfortable 17-point winning margin in their 32-15 victory at Murrayfield yesterday, the moods in camp were somewhat juxtapositional as the expectation for another all-conquering South African victory was tempered by a physically resolute Scotland outing.
Such is the recent dominance of the double world champions and Rugby Championship winners, and such is the retention in personnel in this time period, standards expected of them are perhaps higher, both inside and outside camp, than a side has ever experienced before.
Therefore, a four-try victory, in which they flexed their ability to attack out wide alongside their infamously indomitable scrum, was greeted underwhelmingly by head coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Eben Etzebeth.
Rassie Erasmus
“The scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story”, Erasmus said post-match.
“We can be very proud of playing against Finn Russell in two games and not giving a try away, that’s really hard to do.
“But certainly it’s not a performance we’re very proud of.”
“It was a bit of a grind”, concurred Etzebeth, the only forward to play the full 80 for the visitors.
“They definitely stood up to us in general play, their physicality, they brought it to us and it was a good battle, good test match.
“Compliments to them. We weren’t at our best.”
It’s a harsh review from the South Africans at first glance given they outscored a notorious Scottish attack by four tries to nill, but it was a second half of frustration and pressure after a first in which they’d scored clinically through two well-executed kicks to Makazole Mapimpi and a plucky Thomas du Toit run in.
All seven of the bomb squad were on the pitch by the 45th minute, but the following 20 minutes saw relentless Scottish pressure on the South African try line, just six points the reward as South African cynicism and set-piece dominance dug them out.
“I didn’t think they [dealt with the bomb squad] in the scrum and maul”, said Erasmus.
“But certainly in general play, they were very effective and their defence coach should get a tap on the back.
Eben Etzebeth
“When we prepare for Scotland we prepare like we’re going to play a New Zealand or Ireland”, said Etzebeth.
“They’re one of the top teams in the world, maybe the scoreboard does flatter us a little bit, but we still put a good performance in.”
It’s that sort of praise from a team that has seen off so many challenges over the last five years that explains Scotland head coach Greogor Townsend and captain Sione Tuipulotu’s frustration, but pride in their performance.
“I’m proud of the performance”, said Tuipulotu, speaking after his first game as Scotland captain.
“Especially in the forward pack, I thought they really fronted up physically so I am proud, just disappointed not to win.
“The last bit of execution really let us down today, especially in the finish zone, close to the line. We didn’t walk away with the tries we should’ve.
“The game was there to be won and we didn’t execute.”
There were, of course, significant mitigating circumstances in Scotland’s loss, with second-row Scott Cummings shown a 20-minute red card for a croc roll in just the 11th minute.
South Africa only scored once during the extended 14-man period, Thomas du Toit gratefully strolling in from a lineout Scotland had actually disrupted, but the knock-on effects when the bomb squad arrived and Cummings’ replacement Max Williamson, who was ill during the week, injured both shoulders, took their toll.
Gregor Townsend
“There was massive mitigating circumstances”, said Townsend of the red card. “Scott was there to clear and the scrum half popped up as he was clearing, which took him off his feet.
“It’s such a dynamic game, you’re hitting those contacts at huge speed, so I thought it was a very harsh red.
“There’s a huge amount of pride”, he continued.
“There was some skill execution we have to improve, but I also think there was some bad luck.
“I thought it was one of the best performances of the last few seasons. I thought the way we defended throughout the game was the highest level we’ve produced, we had moments when they emptied their bench in our 22 and we were getting turnovers and there were great elements of defence. There’s real growth.”
READ MORE: Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: Joseph Sua’ali’i bursts onto the scene
