Warns Horne

with indecision, Jones was turned over and Pollard beat Nel and Wilson with ease to go in for a gift score.

The stand-off added a long penalty, only for Laidlaw to reply after a dreadful box kick by Papier.

It needed some electrifying pace from Hogg to get Scotland going again, the full-back’s pace down the line from loose ball causing panic in the Springbok defence and forced le Roux to concede a five-metre lineout.

The Scots reached for an old favourite trick play, a short throw to Hamish Watson not picked up by the South Africans and the flanker dived over, Laidlaw converting to tie the scores.

Another penalty at the scrum, against Nel, allowed Pollard to edge South Africa back in front at the end of a breathless first 40 minutes.

The second half couldn’t hope to live up to the pace of the first, but it was to the visitors’ advantage as their physical power was brought to bear.

Scotland’s big chance came when le Roux was adjudged to have intentionally knocked on going for a looped Horne pass and was yellow-carded, a marginal decision given after a consultation to the TMO, and Laidlaw made the penalty to tie the scores at 20.

But Scotland botched the restart reception, Nkosi pinched the loose ball, and a Pollard penalty restored South Africa’s lead.

The Springbok stand-off hit the post with another long attempt and Jones led Scotland’s counterattack, and right on the hour South Africa hauled down a maul to give an easy kickable penalty.

However, Scotland opted to go to the corner and the lineout drive, and were turned over at close contact.

Russell was barely wide with a long drop goal but the Scots failed to make the extra man count and then lost Hogg.

Pollard missed another penalty but the Scots were under increasing pressure on their own ball at the breakdown and another steal and penalty award allowed Elton Jantjies to stretch their lead to 26-20.

Scotland had one more chance from a lineout drive in the enemy 22 but South Africa had their measure again in the close physical exchanges and were able to close the game out.

PA. Picture: Above: Huw Jones offloads to Peter Horne for the centre to run in Scotland’s first try; left: Hamish Watson is congratulated by Stuart McInally after scoring the second try.