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Scotland player ratings vs South Africa | Autumn Nations Series
Scotland player ratings: South Africa squeezed Scotland out with a dominant second half performance to earn victory at Murrayfield.
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They backed up their win against Wales with a typically powerful performance, and despite trailing at the break, pulled away in the second half, eventually winning 30-15.
A pair of tries from prolific Makazole Mapimpi gave the visitors victory despite a brace from Stuart Hogg, taking him level with Scotland’s all-time record.
Here is how the Scotland players rated on a difficult afternoon.
15. Stuart Hogg – 6
Bounced back from an early high ball drop. Worked in tandem with Russell to move the Springboks around. Two excellent finishes to level Scotland’s all-time try record with Ian Smith and Tony Stanger.
Unreal energy ?
PS: Is there a Springbok fan celebrating in the background? #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/NGRPwnhyLl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2021
14. Rufus McLean – 4
After a brace of tries on debut a fortnight ago, this was a big step up. A couple of glimpses of his attacking prowess but caught too narrow as Mapimpi scampered up the touchline for the Springboks opening score.
13. Chris Harris – 5
Did well to release the wingers when he had a chance to do so, and marshalled the home defence well.
12. Matt Scott – 4
Unable to establish himself on his international return. Threw a loose pass early on and beaten for pace by de Allende for the visitors’ second try. Played an integral part in Hogg’s second score.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7
One electric break from his own try line that had Murrayfield on its feet. Then instrumental in Scotland’s try, first gathering the kick before getting a return from Skinner.
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10. Finn Russell – 5
Some sublime touches in attack, including the cross-kick to put van der Merwe away for Hogg’s first try, and a lovely offload for the captain’s second. Missed eight points from the tee though.
9. Ali Price – 6
Box kicked well to put Kriel and Mapimpi under pressure, and got the ball sharply away when it was on to attack.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 6
One outstanding steal on Etzebeth early on, but caught in two minds as the visitors scored their first try. Eight tackles before he made way on the hour.
2. Stuart McInally – 6
Missed last week through illness but back in the starting side, the former captain threw himself into everything. A great shift.
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Want some water? #SCOvRSA #AUTUMNNATIONSSERIES pic.twitter.com/a58BMP842i
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2021
3. Zander Fagerson – 4
Put under pressure at the scrum, and was kept quiet in the loose.
4. Sam Skinner – 6
An important early lineout steal when Scotland were under pressure and a lovely offload in the build-up to Hogg’s try.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Coming into this series, the absence of Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray would’ve been a concern, but the Edinburgh man has put his hand up. Another combative, physical performance.
6. Nick Haining – 5
Selected for his physicality and it was needed in a ferocious Test match. Some big carries into Vermeulen and Kolisi.
7. Jamie Ritchie – 6
On the edge at the breakdown, and conceded too many penalties. Led the defensive effort, but ultimately ill-discipline across the board cost Scotland.
8. Matt Fagerson – 6
Growing every time he wears the jersey but this was a tough assignment against the world champions. Made 10 carries and 11 tackles in a combative showing.
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman – 5
On for McInally with 20 minutes to go. Lineouts faltered and Scotland lost the breakdown battle.
17. Jamie Bhatti – 5
Battled away but under pressure at the scrum and wasn’t able to offer himself like Schoeman had previously.
Comments on RugbyPass
Its a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend om the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside od World Cup years.
5 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
5 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
5 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to comments