Scotland trail in 10-try thriller with South Africa

Round Two of the Nations Championship

South Africa (14) 42

Try: Paper, Roos, Lu, Willems, Porten, Bantam Disadvantages: Pollard 6

Scotland (14) 28

Try: M Fagerson, Rowe, Bayliss, White Disadvantages: Russell d

Scotland pushed past a much-changed South Africa in a thrilling Nations Championship contest but were left to squander opportunities in Pretoria.

Scotland scored four times to earn the bonus points in their first ever win on South African soil.

And had they been a bit more clinical in attack they could have matched the home tally of six.

The world champions made 10 starting changes after flattening England in Johannesburg and in depth they could extend their winning streak against Scotland to 10 Tests, finding the killer touch at the right moment.

After opening a cage, Ambrose homered two tries in two minutes from Papier and Ivan Roos had Scotland gasping for air on high.

However, Gregor Townsend’s side kept their heads admirably and finished the first half strongly, with Matt Fagerson and Kyle Rowe leveling the game at the break.

A yellow card for Ben-Jason Dixon gave Scotland a boost but they couldn’t find a score in the next 10 minutes, denying good chances in the face of ferocious Springbok defence.

Another quick one-two from Elrig Lowe and Damien Willems gave South Africa breathing space and the game turned around when Zachary Porten extended their lead.

Scotland had other ideas and Josh Bayliss roared back after excellent work from Scott Cummings before Ben White found a gap.

The game was stretched and utterly frantic as the visitors threw everything they had in the tank to find a way back to level terms and fatigue was a factor as Jesse Kriel bounced through two tackles to finish the job for South Africa.