The back-to-back World Champions claimed a 32-15 win against Scotland at the iconic stadium and it was a far from convincing performance and by their own admission, it was a game that they aren’t overly proud of.

The Boks did struggle a bit in the lineout with a few missed feeds, however, only again it was the “Bomb Squad” that made all the difference.

Makazole Mapimpi. Photo: X

The Springboks’ defence in their own 22 was top-notch, while a major positive for South Africa was that it was their second successive against Scotland in which they managed to keep their opponents from scoring any try.

The former Cheetahs winger, Makazole Mapimpi, scored a brace of tries for South Africa, while Thomas du Toit and Jasper Wiese each crossed the whitewash as well.

While the Springboks certainly weren’t at their best at the Thistles, it was their first Test since winning the Rugby Champions, it is a good platform going into this week’s game against England in London.

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???? @Springboks Head Coach Rassie Erasmus has christened the seven-one split as a scientific move!#SCOvRSA | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/OUZDjfxoFe

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 10, 2024

The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, said it wasn’t a performance they are proud of, but they can build on the positives. “The scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story, but we can be proud of the fact that we didn’t concede a try in the last two matches we played against them,” said Erasmus. “We had to work hard to beat them, so in general we are not pleased with our performance today.

“I was happy about the effort the team showed and winning by 17 points away from home, but we need to work on trying to sync better on the field and handle things better in case we get injuries.”

The Springbok captain on the night, Eben Etzebeth, in turn praised Scotland for the fight they brought to the battle. “I said in the press conference before the game that we know they are a quality side,” said South Africa’s most-capped player of all time.

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???? The @Springboks have the perfect start in this one!#SCOvRSA | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/Gf6PkaKVgG

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 10, 2024

“We always, when you prepare for Scotland, we prepare like are we going to play New Zealand or Ireland because they’re one of the top teams in the world.

“So also to latch on to what Rassie said – to beat them here at Murrayfield with 17 points, yeah, maybe the scoreboard does flatter us a little bit, but still got a good performance in. 

“Not everything is going to go our way, and it was going to be a bit of a grind. They’re a quality side and they definitely stood up to us in the general play with their physicality and brought the game to us as well. So it was a good battle.

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Player of the Match ?? Eben Etzebeth #Springboks pic.twitter.com/L0B9j4YWjc

— Darren (@SaffasRugby) November 10, 2024

“It was a good Test match and compliments to them. I think they were great today. I think we probably weren’t at our best, but we showed quality to make the scoreboard like that.”

The Springboks have a short turnaround this week and on Saturday at 19:40 will tackle England at Twickenham in London.

Scorers:

Scotland: Pen. – Finn Russell 5

Springboks: Tries – Makazole Mapimpi 2, Thomas du Toit, Jasper Wiese Conv. – Handre Pollard 3 Pen. – Pollard 2

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg