South Africa’s stock on the rise with fine win over Scots

The 27-8 victory is enough to suggest that the South Africans could pose big problems for their pool opponents in London later this year where they are pooled with Wales, Australia and New Zealand.

The South Africans came into this game on the back of two test victories over fellow World Cup side Kazakhstan and their tour to Scotland, who they will play again next week, highlighted just how serious they were taking their World Cup campaign.

The loss for Scotland means that the home team need to win next week to end a poor run a form that has seen them lose their last four games.

Head coach Gary Parker said: "Today was disappointing. We looked like a team that hadn't played together in two and a half months - we hadn't played together for that time.

"South Africa looked more cohesive. We defended well in spells but made too many mistakes. We were beaten by a better side."

Scotland started the match well with Melrose full back Nicola Halfpenny putting the home side ahead after one minute with an early penalty. South Africa however showed they had travelled with intent and hit back with a penalty from Yolanda Meiring to even the scoreline.

South Africa put intense pressure on the Scotland defence soon after and their hard work paid off with a try from number 8, Namhla Siyolo. The score stayed at 8-3 at the turnaround.

After the break South Africa upped the pace and improved their handling to cross the line two minutes after the restart, with captain Mandisa Williams spotting a gap and taking her chance to cross the line. Meiring failed to clear the uprights and the score stood at 3-13.

A missed penalty attempt from South Africa was followed by a yellow card and ten minutes out of the game for flanker, Lamla Momoti.

The run of play then turned Scotland's way with star outside centre, Lucy Millard, weaving through the opposition to fly over the line and add five points to Scotland's tally after 57 minutes, the try going uncoverted for a 13-8 scoreline.

South Africa piled on the pressure from there on and a lucky bounce of the ball sent Lorinda Brown storming over the line for a try coverted by Meiring to put the visitors further ahead (8-20).

A flurry of substitutions for both sides in the last fifteen minutes triggered a surge from the Scots, however it was South Africa who took their chances and made the break and saw Zenay Jordaan convert her own score to put the game beyond Scotland's reach (8-27).

A second yellow card came the visitors way in the closing minutes, following an infringement by Lorinda Brown, heralding the end of the match.

South Africa (15-1):Yolanda Meiring, Marlize Jordaan, Charmaine Kayser, Lorinda Brown, Phumeza Gadu, Zenay Jordaan, Saloma Booysen; Namhla Siyolo, Mandisa Williams (capt), Lamla Momoti, Dolly Mavumengwana, Nolusindiso Booi, Cebisa Kula, Donna Sidumbu, Nedene Botha

Scotland:Nicola Halfpenny, Celia Hawthorn, Lucy Millard, Veronica Fitzpatrick, Lynsey Douglas, Tanya Griffith, Louise Dalgliesh; Heather Lockhart, Sarah-Louise Walker, Gillian McCord, Michelle Napier, Louise Moffat, Lynne Reid, Donna Kennedy, Susie Brown.

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