South Africa secured their eighth win-in-a-row against Scotland on Sunday in match 7 of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Two tries in two minutes early in the second half secured the 18-03 win for the Springboks.
Scotland ended the first half as the physically dominant side, bullying the Springboks in all facets. The Springboks had several point-scoring opportunities, however, a lack of "intensity" robbed the Springboks of much-needed points. Luckily the Springboks scored two quick tries early in the second half to lead 18-03, which proved to be the difference between the two teams.
The Springboks started the game putting a lot of pressure on Scotland, resulting in them setting up camp in Scotland's half. After missing his first penalty attempt Manie Libbok converted his second attempt to open the Springboks' account after thirteen minutes of play in the first half.
Manie Libbok added another three points after twenty-four minutes of play in the first half. Despite the Sringboks' territorial "dominance" Scotland was winning the physical battle at that stage.
As Scotland continued their physical "dominance" a second scrum penalty led to Finn Russell converting a penalty that reduced the Springboks lead to 06-03 just before halftime.
The Springboks started the second half with a lot more intent. Pieter-Steph du Toit bulldozed his way over the Scotland tryline for the Springboks' first try, after just seven minutes in the second half. Two minutes later Kurt-Lee Arendse caught a kick pass from Manie Libbok to score the Springboks' second try and extend their lead to 18-03.
No points were scored during the last thirty minutes of the match.
Scorers:
Springboks: Try: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse. Conversion: Faf de Klerk. Penalties: Manie Libbok (2), Faf de Klerk.
Scotland: Penalty: Finn Russell
Teams:
Springboks: 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese, 9 Faf de Klerk, 10 Manie Libbok, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 15 Damian Willemse. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Willie le Roux.
Scotland: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey, 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Darcy Graham, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Duhan van der Merwe, 15 Blair Kinghorn. Replacements: 16 David Cherry, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Ollie Smith.
