Bok-lash at Murrayfield
Scotland gave themselves a real shot in the arm on Saturday when they beat South Africa 21-17 at a rain-soaked Murrayfield.
Last Updated: 25/11/10 4:24pm
Scotland gave themselves a real shot in the arm on Saturday when they beat South Africa 21-17 at Murrayfield.
Dan Parks kicked all the home nation's points as they gradually found confidence following last week's mauling at the hands of New Zealand.
The Springboks placed themselves back in contention after a late try from Willem Alberts but were below-par and indisciplined in a match played out in driving rain.
The world champions may have lost their lustre of late but still arrived in Edinburgh chasing a possible Grand Slam, having earned narrow wins against both Ireland and Wales.
Turbulent week
They had also endured something of a turbulent week after Bjorn Basson and Chiliboy Ralepelle were suspended for testing positive for a banned stimulant.
Coach Peter de Villiers made four changes to his side, with winger Bryan Habana also absent having picked up a hand injury.
Meanwhile, Scotland came into the match looking for their first home win against South Africa since 2002 - last week's 49-3 thrashing by the All Blacks hardly ideal preparation.
Rory Lawson captained them for the first time in place of Mike Blair, who he also replaced at scrum-half.
Debutant Joe Ansbro, who became Scotland's first black rugby player, was one of five changes from the XV which started last Saturday.
The Scots were immediately on the backfoot and having ventured offside in the third minute, Morne Steyn put the first three points on the board.
Coach Andy Robinson cut an increasingly irate figure as his side's indiscipline resulted in further chances for points in the fifth and eighth minutes, although both Morne and Frans Steyn missed with kicks.
Morne Steyn made it 6-0 following another offside in the 13th minute and although their first two attempts to break forward ended with turnovers, Scotland eventually put themselves within range after winning two quick penalties.
Parks kicked the second before drawing Scotland level with a drop goal just short of the midway point of the first half.
Having made a nervous start, the hosts were now asserting themselves much more and with the Springboks having infringed in the scrum, Parks kicked them ahead after 24 minutes.
He then stretched their lead to 12-6 with another penalty on the half hour although South Africa eventually relieved the pressure they had increasingly found themselves under, leading to Morne Steyn converting a penalty four minutes before the break.
The half ended, however, with Scotland putting together phases as they pressed for the line - Ansbro, Max Evans, replacement Richie Vernon and Richie Gray at the forefront before the ball was knocked on.
They also pressed forward at the start of the second half, although South Africa were still able to draw level once more after 46 minutes when Morne Steyn kicked a long-range penalty following an offside.
Vernon again came good with a charge through the centre six minutes later before being shoulder-charged by Zane Kirchner - a penalty for coming in from the side nonetheless allowing Parks to put Scotland back ahead.
Perplexed
As the rain intensified, Parks stretched their lead with a penalty after 62 minutes and as South Africa continued to rack up infringements - captain Victor Matfield and Juan Smith among those perplexed by the decisions of referee Stuart Dickinson - he added another six minutes later.
They built a rolling maul straight from the kick-off though and although Scotland managed to hold the ball up over the line, the Springboks won a penalty.
Electing to kick for the corner, Alberts picked up the ball from the resulting line-out and charged over, although replacement Patrick Lambie - on for Morne Steyn - missed the conversion.
Four points behind, the tourists tried to press with Kirchner making a run out towards the left flank but with six minutes left, Scotland won a penalty and kicked for the corner.
With Parks' chip through going nowhere, Scotland were unable to add more points but they did prove adept at retaining possession and killing time to clinch an impressive victory.
