After a fast-paced opening three minutes, the first opportunity came South Africa’s way. Fly-half Handre Pollard kicked a penalty into the corner for an attacking chance, and with a penalty advantage, rolled the dice with a cross-field kick that found wing Makazole Mapimpi, who dashed 10 metres to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score at Scotland 0, South Africa 5.
It was a busy day for the TMOs across the matches, with a high volume of decisions. A "croc-roll" from Scotland’s Scott Cummings led referee Christophe Ridley to show him a yellow card upon review in the 10th minute.
Franco Mostert was penalised in the 17th minute for blocking a player, giving Scotland fly-half Finn Russell a shot at goal and an opportunity to close the deficit. Russell stepped up and slotted it to register Scotland’s first points of the game.
Scott Cummings’ yellow card was reviewed by the team in ‘the bunker,’ leading to the decision to upgrade it to a 20-minute red card.
Springboks wing Canan Moodie was penalised for not releasing just inside his own half, providing Russell with another chance - this time to kick Scotland into the lead for the first time in the game. Just over a quarter played, Scotland led by a singley point: 6-5.
After a chaotic five minutes with possession changing hands multiple times, South Africa had a lineout on the Scottish 22-metre line. In a stroke of luck after poor lineout drill from South Africa Thomas Du Toit picked the ball up at the back of the lineout, and the 145kg Bath prop rushed to the line, scoring his first try for the Springboks. Pollard successfully converted the try.
In the 32nd minute, Russell struck a penalty from the same spot as his previous attempt to close the deficit to just three points: 9-12.
In a matter of minutes, South Africa were back on the attack. A moment of genius from Willie le Roux and a kick-pass saw Mapimpi collect the ball on the full and run over untouched to score his second try of the match.
Scotland immediately responded with some slick handling from Russell and captain Sione Tuipulotu. Fullback Tom Jordan burst through the middle, setting up a two-on-one with Le Roux. Scrum-half Ali Price looked to have a free run to the line, only for the TMO to intervene once again and disallow the try due to a previous knock-on from Jordan in the build-up.
Scotland came out strong in the second half, immediately going on the offensive. Their efforts were rewarded with a scrum penalty, from which Russell kicked three points. South Africa led by a converted try.
An incredible solo break from centre Huw Jones brought the entire crowd at Scottish Gas Murrayfield to their feet. With Scotland’s attack in full flow, the Springboks began to crack and eventually infringed, resulting in a yellow card for Mapimpi for offside.
Scotland continued their relentless attack, applying constant pressure on the visitors’ defence. A near-perfect break by Scotland fullback Jordan provided the initial breach, drawing yet another penalty from the Springboks. A Russell penalty from directly in front of the posts meant it was now a four-point game heading into the last 20 minutes.
Scotland then conceded a penalty due to a lineout infringement, giving Pollard a shot at goal from 40 metres out. The Leicester Tigers playmaker cored South Africa’s first points of the second half with just over an hour gone, reinstating the Springboks' seven-point lead.
South Africa looked to close out the game when they were awarded a penalty directly in front of the Scotland posts. A successful kick from Pollard gave South Africa a 10-point lead heading late in the game.
The killer blow came in the 79th minute when a powerful South African scrum pushed Scotland back over their line. Jasper Wiese was the beneficiary as he picked the ball up and dotted down to seal a 15-32 win over a defiant Scottish side.
Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth was named as the player of the match following a winning 80-minute performance.