Scotland’s World Cup preparations suffered a significant setback as they were comprehensively defeated 27-3 by South Africa in their final warm-up at Murrayfield.
Chris Paterson kicked the home side into an early lead but the Springboks replied with three first-half tries from Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie and Fourie du Preez to effectively end the game as a contest.
Frank Hadden’s side desperately tried to find a way back into the match but struggled to make any holes in the Springboks’ watertight defence.
Only the talented Rory Lamont offered a genuine threat to the visitors while the forwards – impressive in recent games – were brought down to earth by the southern hemisphere giants.
In contrast, England’s World Cup pool opponents, despite missing captain John Smit who has a hamstring injury, demonstrated why they are second favourites for next month’s tournament.
Their gameplan was limited, relying on their famously powerful pack, but they also displayed a clinical efficiency when presented with an opening. The terrific Habana was a threat every time he touched the ball.
Yet it was the home side – with Dave Callam and Kelly Brown drafted into the back row – who got into their stride quickest.
Scotland were rewarded for their enthusiastic start when Paterson kicked them in front with a straightforward 10th-minute penalty, awarded when the Springboks were penalised for killing the ball in a ruck.
It did not take Jake White’s side long to level the scores, though, as Percy Montgomery slotted over an equally-simple penalty three minutes later.
White’s men then took the lead in the 22nd-minute when Habana was fed off the back of a scrum by Danie Roussouw and the Bulls winger scorched through a gaping hole in the Scottish defence to score his 22nd try in 28 Tests. Montgomery added the conversion to make it 10-3.
The lead was increased soon after when Fourie touched down in the 25th minute following a line break by Steyn, fit again after a back injury. Montgomery converted to make it 17-3.
The Springboks were now rampant, claiming their third try three minutes later when scrum-half Du Preez fed Montgomery for a charge at the line and, when the full-back was stopped short, picking up and driving over from five yards out.
The only score in a second half broken up by numerous substitutions came from Montgomery’s boot as Scotland were still unable to get past South Africa’s defence.
