South Africa Top Pool B With Convincing Win Over Scotland
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South Africa moved top of Pool B with a convincing victory over a weakened Scotland side in Newcastle.
First-half tries from Schalk Burger and JP Pietersen got the Springboks on their way as Handre Pollard added 19 points with the boot.
A blistering break away from Duncan Weir eventually saw Tommy Seymour cross over as Scotland rallied, but Bryan Habana rounded off the win for South Africa with a late dot down.
The result means Scotland slip to second in the pool heading into their final game with Samoa, who were trounced 26-5 to Japan earlier today.
Head coach Vern Cotter hit back at claims in midweek that he had selected a ‘second string’ side for the clash with South Africa – with many saying he had sacrificed this match in preparation for the tie with Samoa.
And the Boks certainly appeared in control early on as Heyneke Meyer’s side continued to make amends for their 34-32 loss to Japan two weeks ago.
It took 13 minutes for flanker Burger to bundle over as South Africa’s forwards drove into the Scotland line – Pollard converting.
South Africa survived going down to 14 men when Jannie du Plessis was sin binned and in fact scored through Pietersen when their scrum-half was in exile.
Seymour’s touchdown following a lung-busting interception and charge from fly-half Weir gave the Scots who have traveled south of the border some hope but a Pollard drop goal steadied the ship before Laidlaw was also yellow carded.
Weir took up kicking duties and earned three points from a penalty but Pollard proved his class with two move punts before Habana crossed over to complete the rout.
