South Africa opened the Nations Championship with a 42-28 win over Scotland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday 11 July, yet the scoreline flatters the double world champions: the visitors twice clawed their way back into the match, first from 14 points down and then from 21.
The Springboks struck early through Embrose Papier and Evan Roos to lead 14-0, but Kyle Rowe and Matt Fagerson brought Scotland level before the break. After the interval Elrigh Louw, Damien Willemse, Zach Porthen and Josh Bayliss traded tries, with Ben White pulling Scotland to within a converted score at 35-28. Jesse Kriel's late effort sealed a sixth try for the hosts and a 42-28 final.
Scotland's first Test win on South African soil remains out of reach. The talking point afterwards was once again Gregor Townsend's late use of his bench: with South Africa reduced to 14 men early in the second half, the Scots could not make the numerical advantage count.