Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries as the Springboks turned on the style in the second half at Murrayfield to beat Scotland 30-15 on Saturday and claim their second win on their end-of-year tour to the UK.
After beating Wales 23-18 the week before, South Africa failed to make the most of their opportunities in the first quarter against Scotland, turning down kickable shots at goal from penalties in favour of lineout drives.
With the scores locked at 3-3 after a penalty apiece earlier, centre Lukhanyo Am turned over the ball just inside Scotland’s half in the 29th minute, before a long pass from Willie le Roux found Damian de Allende. The centre fed Siya Kolisi, who then drew the last defender to send Mapimpi free for a 20m sprint home down the left touchline (8-3).
Their joy was short-lived, as a Finn Russell cross kick in the SA half saw some good interplay from the Scots down the left touchline. Bok scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies then had a chance to intercept one of these passes while backtracking, but knocked back the ball for Stuart Hogg to collect and dive over (10-8).
South Africa hit the second half running, with right wing Jesse Kriel beating Duhan van der Merwe in the air after following up an Elton Jantjies high kick.
The ball bounced loose and Kwagga Smith then wrestled it away from Van der Merwe, before the Boks swung it to De Allende who showed great pace to break Scotland’s line. He then expertly offloaded to Mapimpi who finished off a superb 43rd minute move (15-10).
After two more penalties, the Boks led 21-10 before the Scots threatened again. Hogg got his second try after running in on the Boks’ left touchline, with no defenders in sight out wide as Mapimpi left his wing vacant by shooting up out of position in midfield earlier on (21-15).
Another Bok penalty gave them a 24-15 buffer with 10 minutes to go, before winning another shot at goal at a breakdown. Replacement Frans Steyn converted from the halfway line, before fellow replacement Handre Pollard added another three points towards the end of the match to make it 30-15 for the Boks.
Next up for coach Jacques Nienaber’s men is a trip to England where they’ll look to make it three from three.
Scotland 15 South Africa 30
Springboks – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (2); Conversion: Elton Jantjies; Penalties: Jantjies (3), Handre Pollard (2) and Frans Steyn.
Scotland – Tries: Stuart Hogg (2); Conversion: Finn Russell; Penalty: Russell.