Live from Loftus: Papier and Roos score early tries in Pretoria clash against Scotland
The visitors fought back from a 14-point deficit to level the score by half-time after testing the South Africans under the high ball.
The second half as it happens:
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Boks down to 14
South Africa were reduced to 14 players after Dixon was sent to the sin bin. His yellow card is pending a review from the bunker to determine if it will be upgraded to a red card for an incident where he seemingly led with his head.
18:34
After a Scottish version of Doen dit lyfie and Vulindlela performed by the dancers, proceedings got underway in Pretoria. The skies turned a purple hue – coincidentally the same colour Scotland are donning as they take on the men in green and gold.
It took us seven minutes to get the first scrum of the match, on the 5m line of the Boks. Scrumhalf Embrose Papier booted the baall downfield to relieve sustained pressure by the Scots. The opening minutes saw the visitors often sending the ball into the sky, to test the South Africans under the high ball. They survived the test.
South Africa were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts on the 5m line. The Scottinsh bench and some players on the field were left furious after it seemed the kicking tee arrived on the field to indicate that Handré Pollard would line up for a kick to poles. However, the Boks opted for a scrum that resulted in another penalty, and ultimately another scrum. The South Africans could not let the pressure count and were held up over the tryline.
Papier makes his mark
Then, almost as it was scripted, Papier did what he has been doing all United Rugby Championship long for the Blue Bulls, on this very field. He made a darting run after picking up the ball behind the back of the ruck, cut through the Scottish defence and opened the scoring.
The resulting restart kick was gathered by Bok lock Cobus Wiese who made a promising run towards the Scottish half. After a few phases, the Boks scored another try, this time through No 8 Evan Roos. Pollard took the score to 14-0.
Scots fight back
Then the Scots opened their account, and a few minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, scored another try – this time by fullback Kyle Rowe. Both tries were converted by flyhalf Finn Russell and when the half-time hooter went, scores were level.
The first half as it happened:
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We are level
On the stroke of half-time, Scotland fullback Rowe scored a try, converted by Russell, leaving the half-time score reading 14-all.
Scots on the scoreboard
With just over five minutes left in the half, the Scots scored a five-pointer. The conversion by Russell meant the Boks’ lead was halved.
Bok bruiser adds 5 more
After Wiese regathered the restart, the bruising lock barged forward and immediately put the visitors under pressure again. A few phases later, Roos added another five-pointer. Pollard again converted to take the score to 14-0 in favour of the South Africans.
Points on the board
Almost ceremonially, Papier opens the scoring upon his Bok return after a sniping run through the Scottish defence. Pollard slots the conversion and, after 17 minutes of frantic action, the Boks lead 7-0.
It’s time for kick-off
Handré Pollard got proceedings underway after a nearly full Loftus Versfeld sang the national anthem.
17:17
Kick-off is fast approaching at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria where the reigning world champions, the Springboks, are set to tackle Scotland in the Nations Championship.
The Boks would like to make it two wins from two matches in the new competition, after a 45–21 triumph over England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Hooker steps up
Team news is in and it has been confirmed that Canan Moodie will not play. He is replaced by Ethan Hooker in the starting XV.
It was confirmed at the coin toss that the Boks will kick off the match when play gets underway at 17:40.
Starting XVs
| Position | South Africa | Scotland |
| 15 Fullback | Aphelele Fassi | Kyle Rowe |
| 14 Right Wing | Edwill Van Der Merwe | Kyle Steyn |
| 13 Outside Centre | Jesse Kriel | Rory Hutchinson |
| 12 Inside Centre | Damian de Allende | Sione Tuipulotu (c) |
| 11 Left Wing | Ethan Hooker | Jamie Dobie |
| 10 Flyhalf | Handré Pollard | Finn Russell |
| 9 Scrumhalf | Embrose Papier | Ben White |
| Number 8 | Evan Roos | Jack Dempsey |
| 7 Openside Flanker | Pieter-Steph Du Toit (c) | Rory Darge |
| 6 Blindside Flanker | Paul de Villiers | Matt Fagerson |
| 5 Lock | Ruan Nortje | Scott Cummings |
| 4 Lock | Cobus Wiese | Gregor Brown |
| 3 Tighthead Prop | Wilco Louw | Zander Fagerson |
| 2 Hooker | Johan Grobbelaar | Ewan Ashman |
| 1 Loosehead Prop | Boan Venter | Pierre Schoeman |
Replacements:
South Africa: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Zach Porthen 19 Vincent Tshituka 20 Ben-Jason Dixon 21 Elrigh Louw 22 Grant Williams 23 Quan Horn
Scotland: 16 Gregor Hiddleston 17 Rory Sutherland 18 Will Hurd 19 Max Williamson 20 Josh Bayliss 21 Magnus Bradbury 22 Tom Jordan 23 Stafford McDowall
