South Africa edge past Scotland with 20-26 win at Murrayfield

Scotland 20-26 South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium
Scorecard

Handre Pollard contributed with 18 points as South Africa overcame Scotland with a 20-26 victory at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

This is Springboks' second win of the campaign after they edged out France 26-29 last weekend and it is also their sixth successive win over Scotland with three out of it coming at the Murrayfield.

Pollard's initial break played a pivotal role as South Africa managed to score the opening try in the sixth minute and the fly-half's conversion took the scoreline to 0-7. Gregor Townsend's men continued to attack and eventually found the breakthrough in the 19th minute when Huw Jones and Sean Maitland combined to send Pete Horne over the line as the scores were levelled 7-7.

The visitors responded back quickly and this time it was Pollard, who scored a converted try and followed it with a penalty goal to take them to a 10 point lead but it was once again negated with Hamish Watson going over the line. Greig Laidlaw scored a penalty and a conversion on either side.

A 39th minute penalty goal from Pollard gave a slender three-point lead for the Boks as a gripping first half came to an end.

South Africa had a poor start to the second half with Willie le Roux sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and Laidlaw kicked a penalty goal as Scotland levelled the scores. Nevertheless, Pollard restored the three-point lead for South Africa with another kick in the 50th minute.

By the 56th minute, Pollard had another chance after Scotland were charged for an infringement but the ball had hit the post. Nevertheless, the fly-half made amends in the 73rd minute as he steered the Boks to a six-point victory.