Clinical South Africa ease past Scotland

South Africa kept their hopes of a World Cup quarter-final berth alive with a clinical 34-16 win over Scotland in their Pool B clash.

Following Japan’s comprehensive earlier win over Samoa, the Springboks came into the match knowing that defeat may end their World Cup at the group stage.

But a controversial early penalty try awarded to Schalk Burger settled nerves before the clinical boot of Handre Pollard and a JP Pietersen try gave them a healthy 20-3 lead at the break.

Scotland rallied after the break and revived hopes of a famous comeback after an interception from Duncan Weir was finished off in the corner by Tommy Seymour.

But South Africa were not to be denied and dominated the remainder of the match, Bryan Habana completing the win with a well taken try in the corner.

The result means that both sides can still qualify if they win their remaining pool matches.

Another controversial TMO decision puts Scotland on the back foot. It looked a poor one, as seemed to be the case with the first Welsh try yesterday. If ever there’s any doubt, it should go to the defending side.

[MATCHCAST: Full scoring summary and live commentary]

13’ – SOUTH AFRICA 7-0 SCOTLAND – TRY! It’s another controversial TMO decision as first Schalk Burger is held up and appears to lose the ball before Bismarck du Plessis gets his hands to the ball. Still it looks tough to say for sure that it’s grounded with no double movement. Pollard adds the extras.

34’ – SIN BIN: Jannie du Plessis is off for ten minutes for a dangerous use of the shoulder in the tackle when clearing the ruck.

39’ – SOUTH AFRICA 20-3 SCOTLAND – TRY! No doubt about this one as a huge SA drive takes them close to the line before du Preez puts in Pietersen and he finishes well. Pollard converts.

49’ – SOUTH AFRICA 23-16 SCOTLAND – TRY! It’s a sensational break-away from an intercept pass from Weir. Pietersen covers across but he feeds Visser, who pops it to Seymour to dive over! Laidlaw converts.

53’ – SIN BIN: Laidlaw off for ten minutes for a late tackle on Habana.

73’ – SOUTH AFRICA 34-16 SCOTLAND – TRY! Bryan Habana who wriggles over in the corner after ten phases. Clinical finish.

South Africa: Le Roux, Pietersen, Kriel, de Allende, Habana, Pollard, du Preez, Mtawarira, B. du Plessis, J. du Plessis, Etzebeth, de Jager, Louw, Burger, Vermeulen. Replacements: Lambie, Serfontein, Pienaar, Nyakane, Strauss, Malherbe, Du Toit, Alberts.

Scotland: Hogg, Seymour, Vernon, Scott, Visser, Weir, Laidlaw, Reid, Brown, Nel, R. Gray, J. Gray, Strauss, Cowan, Denton. Replacements: Lamont, Horne, Hidalgo-Clyne, Dickinson, Ford, Welsh, Swinson, Wilson.