South Africa run in four tries as world champions prove too strong for Scotland

Scotland 15-32 South Africa
Springboks hold off stubborn hosts at Murrayfield

Not much arguing with this. Scotland threw everything at this match, setting their beloved stadium on a roar time and again, but four tries to none tells its own story. And a familiar one at that. South Africa, without ever really seeming to play much more than within themselves, were just too strong.

The image of a lusty puncher failing to land a single blow came to mind, as the Springboks held a swinging Scotland at arm’s length, rarely too troubled, for all their opponents’ fire and enthusiasm. Time and again either side of half-time, Scotland broke out, but they could not quite score a try, let alone four of them. Eben Etzebeth, the only Springbok forward to play the whole match, was the icon, huge, commanding and, at times, laughing in his opponents’ faces.

Topics

New Zealand wins cricket's Women’s T20 World Cup for 1st time with 32-run victory over South Africa
Sports - ABC News - October 20
Scotland 15-32 South Africa: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live
World - The Guardian - 2 days ago
Australia shocked in World Cup semis by South Africa
Top stories - BBC News - October 17
Wolvaardt and Bosch's 'astounding' batting sends South Africa into World T20 final
Top stories - BBC News - October 17
Women’s T20 World Cup: holders Australia humbled by South Africa
World - The Guardian - October 17
Australia stunned by South Africa: Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final – as it happened
World - The Guardian - October 17

Latest in World

Dutch lawmaker Wilders wants to deport those convicted of violence against Israeli soccer fans
World - ABC News - 8 minutes ago
Welcome to China’s underground raves, from street techno to quotes from Chairman Mao
World - ABC News - 16 minutes ago
Carlos Alcaraz beats Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6: ATP Finals tennis – live reaction
World - The Guardian - 21 minutes ago
Jack Smith to end Trump cases and resign, report says; Musk and Ramaswamy roles cause conflict of interest concerns - live
World - The Guardian - 21 minutes ago
Cop 29 live: Trump vow to ditch Paris agreement ‘of grave concern’ to small island states
World - The Guardian - 23 minutes ago

South Africa run in four tries as world champions prove too strong for Scotland

Topics

Related

New Zealand wins cricket's Women’s T20 World Cup for 1st time with 32-run victory over South Africa

Scotland 15-32 South Africa: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live

Australia shocked in World Cup semis by South Africa

Wolvaardt and Bosch's 'astounding' batting sends South Africa into World T20 final

Women’s T20 World Cup: holders Australia humbled by South Africa

Australia stunned by South Africa: Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final – as it happened

More from The Guardian

Jack Smith to end Trump cases and resign, report says; Musk and Ramaswamy roles cause conflict of interest concerns - live

Middle East crisis live: US wants Gaza fighting pause, Blinken says, but will not limit arms transfers despite Israel missing aid deadline

Cop 29 live: Trump vow to ditch Paris agreement ‘of grave concern’ to small island states

Schools closed and people evacuated as torrential rain returns in Spain

Olaf Scholz delivers plea for German unity ahead of confidence vote

Latest in World

Dutch lawmaker Wilders wants to deport those convicted of violence against Israeli soccer fans

Welcome to China’s underground raves, from street techno to quotes from Chairman Mao

Carlos Alcaraz beats Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6: ATP Finals tennis – live reaction

Jack Smith to end Trump cases and resign, report says; Musk and Ramaswamy roles cause conflict of interest concerns - live

Cop 29 live: Trump vow to ditch Paris agreement ‘of grave concern’ to small island states