Scotland no match for Springboks depth

South Africa thumped Scotland 55-6 yesterday and impressively showed their depth of rugby talent was a class above.

With the match falling outside of the IRB’s international window, the Springboks were missing seven France-based players while the tourists were without their English Premiership charges, and the gap in quality between the replacements was clear, as South Africa ran in eight unanswered tries.

Flanker Marcell Coetzee, winger Lwazi Mvovo and lock Lood de Jager scored two tries apiece. Willie le Roux and JP Pietersen also got on the scoresheet for the hosts, while IRB junior player of the year Handre Pollard, fresh from competing in the under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, notched five conversions and a penalty on his international debut.

Flyhalf Duncan Weir’s two pen- alties were as good as it got for Scotland, who found themselves outclassed in just about every department.

Although Vern Cotter’s inexperienced side showed a willingness to front up to South Africa’s physical game, it was often guilty of missing tackles and conceding penalties.

‘‘We knew that playing against the Springboks you’ve got to start well but we were a bit sluggish,’’ captain Grant Gilchrist said.

Having won in the United States, Canada and Argentina during the past three weeks, it was inevitable that the Scots would tire, and as they did so the floodgates opened.

The only downside for South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer was an ankle injury to first-choice halfback Fourie du Preez, who was replaced by Hougaard in the 29th minute.

‘‘His control of the game is important to us,’’ Meyer said.