South Africa 18-3 Scotland: Defending champion impress to kick off defence with victory over dogged Scots

South Africa kicked off their Rugby World Cup defence with an 18-3 win over Scotland thanks to a dominant second-half display.

Only three points split the sides after a physical first half, but the Springboks pulled away after the break thanks to Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse tries.

It soon became clear that this would be a bruising match filled with almighty collisions, as the two sides clattered into each other from the first whistle, Manie Libbok notching two penalties to give the Springboks the early advantage.

Scottish hearts were in mouths when Finn Russell went down injured after attempting a no-arms tackle, but there were sighs of relief when he got back to his feet and escaped with a penalty rather than a trip to the sin bin.

Scotland’s attack almost came to life when Darcy Graham broke clear down the left wing but couldn’t get the ball out to Duhan van der Merwe to finish, but a penalty won at scrum time gave Russell the chance to kick three points in the final act of the half.

Momentum shifted after the break when Du Toit barged through a wall of Scottish defenders to notch the opening try, before a wonderful no-look cross-kick from Libbok fell into the grateful arms of Arendse for an inspired second score three minutes later.

A 15-point lead proved insurmountable for the Scots as they were kept at bay by a Boks side who many have down as favourites to retain the trophy.

Scotland stood up to the barrage of South African physicality well in the first half, but as the blows kept landing and bodies tired, it proved overpowering.

The Springboks bulldozed their way over the line for the opening try, regained control of the set piece and suffocated a Scottish attack that is renowned for its ability to carve open defences at will.

As starts to World Cup title defences go, this will be a very satisfying one for the Boks – and a daunting one for their Webb Ellis Cup rivals.

Most of the pre-match attention was on Finn Russell when it came to the battle of the fly-halves, but the Springboks No. 10 showed his class with a moment of mesmerising magic that took the game away from Scotland.

His cross-field kick to Arendse fell into the wing’s arms at full speed and what’s more, it was a no-look kick. He might have struggled from the tee at times, but that try assist and six points from the boot was a strong return for the 26-year-old on his Rugby World Cup debut.

SCOTLAND: Kinghorn 5, Graham 6, Jones 6, Tuipulotu 6, Van der Merwe 6, Russell 6, White 7; Schoeman 6, Turner 5, Z. Fagerson 6, Gray 6, Gilchrist 6, Ritchie 6, Darge 6, Dempsey 6

Subs: Cherry 6, Bhatti 6, Nel 5, Cummings 6, M. Fagerson 6, Price 5, Redpath 6, Smith 6

SOUTH AFRICA: Willemse 7, Arendse 8, Kriel 6, De Allende 8, Kolbe 8, Libbok 8, De Klerk 8; Kitshoff 6, Marx 7, Malherbe 6, Etzebeth 6, Mostert 7, Kolisi 8, Du Toit 8, Wiese 6

Subs: Mbonambi 6, Nche 7, Nyakane 5, Snyman 6, Van Staden 6, Vermeulen 6, Williams 7, Le Roux 6

14’ PENALTY – SOUTH AFRICA 3-0 SCOTLAND

No mistake from Libbok second time around as he splits the posts to give the Springboks a deserved early lead.

25’ PENALTY – SOUTH AFRICA 6-0 SCOTLAND

Libbok has a bit of an angle to deal with this time, but makes no mistake.

Russell is down injured after a collision with Arendse – that will be looked at by the TMO. Russell doesn’t wrap Arendse as he makes the tackle and the penalty is reversed – but no cards, which will be a relief to the Scots.

30’ GRAHAM BREAKS THE LINE

Scotland launch their most dangerous attack of the game as they go wide with Graham and the wing bursts through, but he can’t get a pass away as he’s brought down with Van der Merwe free to his outside! They’ve got to take those chances.

40’ PENALTY – SOUTH AFRICA 6-3 SCOTLAND

Russell makes no mistake! Tremendous kick from distance to put Scotland back within 3 points.

48’ TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 11-3 SCOTLAND

South Africa go through the phases and eventually the pressure pays off as Du Toit barges his way through a group of Scottish defenders to land the opening try of the match.

Libbok fails to add the extras, though, so it’s an eight-point game.

51’ TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 18-3 SCOTLAND

That is a SUPERB score from the Springboks! Libbok spots Arendse in space on the wing and pops a perfectly-weighted no-look cross-kick out for the wing to gather at full pace and dot down.

De Klerk takes over kicking duties for the conversion and splits the posts. Suddenly it’s a very long way back for the Scots.

• Just nine points were scored during the first half between South Africa and Scotland, making this the lowest-scoring opening 40 minutes in a Rugby World Cup pool stage match since 2015 (Namibia 6-0 Georgia).
• The Springboks have won their last five Tests, their best run since winning seven in a row between 2019 and 2021 – a spell which saw them win the World Cup.