Scotland vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn international fixture
Follow live coverage as Scotland take on the Springboks aiming to build on their impressive win over Australia last time out
Scotland are taking on South Africa at Murrayfield hoping to take another huge scalp a week on from their impressive win over Australia. This time though they will need to go up another gear as they face the reigning world champions, and a Springboks side who have not lost to the Scots since 2010, winning their past six encounters.
Gregor Townsend has made four changes to the team which started the win over Australia, with Rufus McLean installed on the wing and Matt Scott given his first start at centre since 2017, while Stuart McInally and Nick Haining come into the pack. Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has made three changes to the side which edged Wales, including full-back Willie le Roux replacing the injured Damian Willemse.
Townsend knows it will be a tough encounter, but believes home advantage could again be key. “We know what to expect from the Springboks in how they play and the physicality they will bring across the team. We have therefore selected a side that we believe can both meet that challenge and give us the platform to impose our game on the opposition. It should be a full-blooded contest and will require an intensity and focus across our 23-man squad for the full 80 minutes.”
Follow all the action below, live, followed by Ireland against New Zealand:
Scotland 3-0 South Africa
18 mins: Russell pins South Africa back with a booming kick following the restart, before Price’s box kick causes problems for Le Roux. Ritchie steals in at the ruck to turn it over and win Scotland another penalty - and Russell will go for the posts again.
Scotland 3-0 South Africa (Russell pen 17’)
Remarkable! Scotland resist a bruising 15 minutes of South Africa pressure, and then get off the mark with their first trip into the Springboks half! Russell splits the posts from 40 metres out.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
15 mins: That’s better from Scotland in the scrum, and South Africa can’t make any gains. Scotland resist two big South Africa carries and then turn the ball over inside five metres.
Russell has the chance to boot clear but passes to Van der Merwe, who is on his try-line. And the winger beats his man to make a break! He carries it to halfway before South Africa concede a penalty! Russell will kick for the posts.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
14 mins: Scotland stand strong again following the line out, pushing back the South Africa rolling maul. Schoeman thinks he won it back but is penalised for a knock on, setting up another South Africa scrum, 10 metres out.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
12 mins: Scotland think they’ve turned the ball over through Schoeman, who ripped the ball from Etzebeth, but Scotland concede the penalty for holding on in the ruck.
It sets up another promising position for South Africa five metres out.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
11 mins: South Africa power Scotland back in the scrum, leading to another penalty. Elton Jantjies goes back to touch and South Africa are back inside the 22.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
9 mins: Herschel Jantjies kicks the ball out of play following the scrum, but Scotland are unable to keep possession after a sloppy line out. South Africa elect to go for another scrum inside the Scotland half.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
7 mins: Scotland have got out of their own 22 but the pressure is still on. The low light plays tricks on Hogg, who spills a high ball, and South Africa keep possession from the scrum.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
6 mins: South Africa had a chance after working the ball left to Mapimpi, who has held up as he tried to drive inside. South Africa win the penalty and Elton Jantjies attempts the chip with the advantage, before it comes pack. South Africa kick for the corner but Scotland win it back from the line out and Hogg is able to boot clear.
Scotland 0-0 South Africa
4 mins: Vermeulen rises to claim South Africa’s second line out and gives the Springboks great position 10 metres out. Scotland resist the rolling maul, but South Africa come again through huge carries from Kolisi, Kwagga Smith and Etzebeth. Their up to 13 phases but Scotland are holding strong for now...
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