Boks hit back to sink Scots
World champions South Africa overcame a huge fright before edging to a 14-10 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Last Updated: 15/11/08 6:46pm
World champions South Africa overcame a huge fright before edging to a 14-10 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Frank Hadden's side had led 10-0 at the interval but can only dream of what might have been after Phil Godman missed four penalty kicks that would have driven home their advantage.
Nathan Hines crossed in the first half - his side's first try at home for 14 months - before Jaque Fourie, a second half replacement for Bryan Habana, sent the Springboks into the lead after the break with Ruan Pienaar adding three penalties.
Scotland threw everything at their illustrious opponents in the final quarter, playing some wonderful attacking rugby, but were unable to find the try-line with Godman missing a sitter inside the final five minutes.
Victory would also have placed Scotland in the top eight of the world rankings and retained their second-seed status for the 2011 World Cup draw.
But their second defeat of the autumn series means they could now be grouped with the likes of New Zealand and France when the draw is made for the tournament in two years' time.
The home side had lost nine of their previous 10 meetings with South Africa, their only victory coming with a 21-6 success in 2002.
Normal service looked set to be resumed when Scotland almost came unstuck inside the opening seconds - Mike Blair's clearance being charged down.
However, strong defence spared the captain's blushes.
Let-off
Another let-off came when Habana fumbled a pass, while the visitors were dealt a blow when they lost hooker Bismarck du Plessis to injury inside the opening five minutes.
But Scotland themselves were soon forced to withdraw goalkicker Chris Paterson for Hugo Southwell and also brought on Dan Parks as a blood substitution for Phil Godman at fly-half.
The loss of Paterson proved costly as Parks proceeded to shank two penalties near the left touchline inside as many minutes.
Success would have put the hosts ahead against the run of play and missing them was crucial in the context of Scotland's try drought at home.
But they were then handed a let-off of their own when opposing fly-half Ruan Pienaar missed from a similar position midway through the half.
A patched-up Godman returned in place of Parks - who had endured a miserable seven minutes on the pitch - and kicked his side ahead in the 28th minute from in front of the posts after Tendai Mtawarira had come in at the side.
Jean De Villiers and Conrad Jantjes then broke down the left but Scotland scrambled and held their opponents up before Schalk Burger was penalised for coming over the top.
Moments later Blair broke clear around a ruck and fed Godman, who evaded the retreating South African defence before being hauled down just short of the line by Pierre Spies.
Scotland's forwards recycled the ball several times before lock Hines finally struck a minute before the break, Godman adding the extras to make it 10-0 at half-time.
South Africa started the second period the stronger and although Scotland's defence held firm, Pienaar did reduce their advantage with a penalty after John Barclay was caught offside.
Another Pienaar penalty then brought his team to within four points after 55 minutes - Allan Jacobsen being penalised for not rolling away.
Indeed, Scotland ever-spiralling penalty count was by now giving their opponents dominance in terms of territory and possession.
Superiority
And that superiority gained its reward just before the hour mark when Fourie finished superbly in the corner after overcoming a strong attempted tackle from Southwell.
South Africa thus had the lead for the first time and Hadden responded by sending Scott Gray on for former captain Jason White in the back row.
Godman then missed a difficult penalty kick to regain the lead for his side, with Pienaar soon stretching South Africa's lead to 14-10 with another penalty after Scotland infringed at a ruck.
The home side could have got to within a point had Godman not missed an eminently kickable penalty after Pienaar was caught offside.
Scotland ended the match by pressuring their opponent's line but the breakthrough was not forthcoming and they must now wait for their World Cup fate.