Scots just edged out by the strong Springboks in a bruising encounter
but no cigar, is as good a description as any for this absorbing, bruising encounter.
Ultimately, it was another tale of Scotland battling bravely for the full 80 minutes and, though they hauled themselves level on three occasions, they never quite did enough to overhaul South Africa.
That meant only a second defeat in the last 11 Tests at BT Murrayfield and the fact the last one was a narrow loss to World Champions New Zealand, and this one was in the mixer till the final whistle – greeted with relief by the Springboks – shows just how tough a team to beat Scotland have become at home.
Scotland’s accuracy let them down at times as they tried to take that elusive lead, but the main reason for this defeat was that they came up against a strong, well-drilled, obdurate team that, while they couldn’t open up clear blue water between them and their hosts, couldn’t quite shake them off, either.
In the first half in particular, Scotland tried to employ the high-tempo game that had brought such success against Fiji last time out but found it brought fewer rewards against a more structured side.
The Boks’ defence was much more solid, they won more of the collisions and they were brutal at the breakdown – it wasn’t uncommon to see Scots being skittled around the ruck.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “At the breakdown South Africa were excellent competing for ball. I’ll have to look at it closely to see if it was legal, I’m sure it was, but we didn’t get enough quick ball and possession from there.”
It was during one first-half ruck that Bok skipper Siya Kolisi seemed to “reverse headbutt” a prone Peter Horne, something the citing commissioner might take an interest in.
What was most concerning for Scotland will be the fact that tighthead prop WP Nel had a torrid time in the scrum.
He was pinged twice for collapsing under immense pressure from his direct opponent Steven Kitshoff, a 20-stone ginger unit, but though the Scottish scrum buckled it never broke against the biggest pack in world rugby.
The teams shared four tries and the opener was a thing of beauty – from a South African perspective.
Handre Pollard jinked through a barelythere gap and then the ball flashed through Springbok hands before Jesse Kriel crashed over.
Man of the Match Pollard went on to dominate the visitors’ scoring stats, scoring himself when a turnover found Scotland’s defence all at sea and he rounded Ryan Wilson to dot down, and adding two conversions and three penalties before Elton Jantjies rounded things off with a monstrous final penalty.
Scotland’s first score showed just what an attacking threat Huw Jones is as his terrific behind-the-back pass sent Sean Maitland down the flank, and his support run saw him take the return pass to put centre partner Horne in.
Jones was culpable for two Wales tries a fortnight ago and Townsend said: “He had a fantastic game. He’s played so many cracking games for Scotland and in both attack and defence today he was one of our best players.”
The Scots’ second score came from a lineout set up by Stuart Hogg’s superb break and chip as, in a training-ground ploy, the Boks failed to spot Hamish Watson lurking in the scrum-half slot and he curved round the front to pocket Stuart Mcinally’s throw and barrel over.
A clearly proud Townsend said: “They picked their strongest side against us. That’ll be one of the toughest challenges the players will ever face playing for Scotland.”