THE Springboks’ power and precision set them apart in the first half before they kept a predictably brave Scotland well beyond arm’s length at Murrayfield in Edinburgh yesterday.
Score-wise, this was a fantastic return for Heyneke Meyer’s team, although the coach will no doubt lament the fact that his side could not attain the heights of the first half in the second. Of perhaps bigger concern was the injury the influential Francois Louw sustained deep in the second but that picture will become clearer today.
Apart from getting the desired result, Meyer was also desperate to survey his playing resources going forward.
At fullback Willie le Roux had a devastating impact on proceedings in the first half but team performance sagged in the second.
Le Roux jumped with authority when asked to collect the high ball and as ever when opportunity beckoned in attack, he was wide-eyed to it.
The return of Bakkies Botha at lock after a two-year hiatus fell marginally short of the high expectations the coach has for the occupier of the number four jumper.
Botha didn’t exert the level of influence he used to in his pomp.
Early on the Springboks delivered a show of intent. Duane Vermeulen claimed the ball towards the back of a line-out before briskly shifting the point of attack by feeding Willem Alberts who with a little help from his friends barged over.
For all the brave heart they displayed when defending at close quarters Scotland were caught with their kilts down when they rarely ventured into Springbok territory.
Le Roux got half a chance in the 30th minute to get his hands on the ball and although it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time for him to do so, once he did so he streaked well clear of the defence.
Scotland were soon caught again when Le Roux slipped past two tackles which opened up the defence.
With his options limited he delivered a diagonal kick at JP Pietersen and the wing, who celebrated his 50th Test appearance, collected the ball and crashed over despite drawing the attention of two defenders.
By then Scotland’s line-out too was under siege. When Richie Gray claimed their first line-out in the 10th minute approving roar was deafening. Their line-out was downright dysfunctional as Flip van der Merwe, upon who it now falls to run the Boks line-out, read their throws like a book.
Scorers: South Africa (28) – Tries: Willem Alberts, Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Coenie Oosthuizen. Conversions: Pat Lambie (4).
Springboks read Scots riot act in thrashing
Score-wise, this was a fantastic return for Heyneke Meyer’s team, although the coach will no doubt lament the fact that his side could not attain the heights of the first half in the second. Of perhaps bigger concern was the injury the influential Francois Louw sustained deep in the second but that picture will become clearer today.
Apart from getting the desired result, Meyer was also desperate to survey his playing resources going forward.
At fullback Willie le Roux had a devastating impact on proceedings in the first half but team performance sagged in the second.
Le Roux jumped with authority when asked to collect the high ball and as ever when opportunity beckoned in attack, he was wide-eyed to it.
The return of Bakkies Botha at lock after a two-year hiatus fell marginally short of the high expectations the coach has for the occupier of the number four jumper.
Botha didn’t exert the level of influence he used to in his pomp.
Early on the Springboks delivered a show of intent. Duane Vermeulen claimed the ball towards the back of a line-out before briskly shifting the point of attack by feeding Willem Alberts who with a little help from his friends barged over.
For all the brave heart they displayed when defending at close quarters Scotland were caught with their kilts down when they rarely ventured into Springbok territory.
Le Roux got half a chance in the 30th minute to get his hands on the ball and although it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time for him to do so, once he did so he streaked well clear of the defence.
Scotland were soon caught again when Le Roux slipped past two tackles which opened up the defence.
With his options limited he delivered a diagonal kick at JP Pietersen and the wing, who celebrated his 50th Test appearance, collected the ball and crashed over despite drawing the attention of two defenders.
By then Scotland’s line-out too was under siege. When Richie Gray claimed their first line-out in the 10th minute approving roar was deafening. Their line-out was downright dysfunctional as Flip van der Merwe, upon who it now falls to run the Boks line-out, read their throws like a book.
Scorers: South Africa (28) – Tries: Willem Alberts, Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Coenie Oosthuizen. Conversions: Pat Lambie (4).
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