South Africa v Scotland – Scottish Rugby

19:02

Seymour impressed with Springboks

Former Scotland winger Tommy Seymour on this afternoon’s Pool B match at Stade Velodrome: “South Africa did in the second half what they needed to do in the first half, which was become more direct. We struggled for territory and possession which, against any side, is going to make it difficult to win. They starved us of opportunities to bring our attack in to play and key set piece opportunities were lost.

“We didn’t have a chance to unleash much and we must credit South Africa for that – nevertheless we must use this for inspiration when it comes to the next few games.”

18:57

Tonga the next target for Scotland

There actually is time to rest after today, with Scotland not back in Rugby World Cup 2023 action again until Sunday 24 September, when they will take on Tonga in Nice – kick-off 4.45pm

It wasn’t meant to be in Marseille against an excellent South Africa squad, but Pool B has only just written its opening chapter.

71'

Jeopardy from Scotland holding up South African maul

Scotland work so hard to hold up Damian de Allende, with Richie Grey and Scott Cummings doing the graft – the tricky thing now for Scotland is that they have earned a scrum, which hasn’t functioned this half. But it clicks and through Blair Kinghorn and then Cam Redpath, Scotland make metres. They’re refusing to give in, here.

76'

Tap tackle on Williams spares Scotland

Grant Williams has come on for Faf de Klerk and, listed also as a winger, you can see why. In the blink of an eye, he hares his way from the South Africa 22 and up towards Scotland’s, only denied a most memorable try by Finn Russell’s perfect tap tackle. It’s almost done here; the Springboks have been immense.

61'

Phenomenal Finn finds 50-22

He’s been quiet in the past few minutes, but that usually means something is brewing. And so it proves, when Finn Russell crafts a delightful kick from his own half which grubbers out for a 50-22, so Scotland throw. They try to take it quickly and think Darcy Graham is wriggling over, but it’s not been taken from the correct mark according to referee Gardner, and the chance doesn’t amount to anything more.

80'

All over in Marseille as world champions show their class

It’s done and dusted at Stade Velodrome, with South Africa putting in a display if not as swashbuckling as their slaying of the All Blacks recently, still worthy of defending champions.

Incredibly accurate, brutishly physical and measured throughout, the Springboks led 6-3 at the break, only to go on and score two tries through Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Manie Libbock was erratic from the tee, but it mattered not as Scotland were put to the sword in their Pool B opener.

A proper shift from Scotland’s entire 23, but a very polished performance from South Africa gets their defence off to the best possible start.

63'

Flurry of Scottish subs

The front row of Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry and WP Nel, we should have stated a few minutes ago, came on in their entirety for Schoeman, Turner and Zander Fagerson. Scott Cummings and Matt Fagerson have also entered the fray, for Gilchrist and Darge, with Ollie Smith replacing Darcy Graham to boot.

18:28

Former winger Tommy appreciates Arendse’s score

Tommy Seymour, who knows a few things about classy finishes out wide: “Firstly, it was amazing defence to cause the turnover, followed by power and aggression in the carry to shorten the line on the edge creating the space for Arendse.

“Libbock’s execution and vision in seeing the opportunity was brilliant while Arendse’s trust in holding his width resulted in the try.”

66'

Redpath, Price on for Tuipulotu and White

Scotland’s bench now ’emptied’ as they say, with Cam Redpath and Ali Price on for the last 15 or so. South Africa win another scrum penalty though and the Springboks are starting to look a bit comfortable in Marseille.

41'

All set for the second forty in Marseille

Blair Kinghorn gets us back up and running, but the start doesn’t go to plan as Finn Russell knocks on in the tackle (he may well not have, actually) and South Africa are given a serene welcome to the second half with a scrum near half-way. They must’ve had words at the interval as well, as they quickly redress the scrum that Scotland celebrated a few phases ago and get their own penalty at the set piece.

57'

Faf fluffs chance for another three

Far de Klerk opts to shoot for goal after WP Nel, sarcastically tapped on the back by South Africa’s front row, gives away a scrum penalty for pulling down the set piece. De Klerk’s effort goes wide though, and the lead remains 15 points with all-but an hour gone. Water break welcomed by all.

42'

Libbock short and wide from the tee

Libbock takes a deep gulp and tries to launch one from way inside his own half but it’s comfortably off radar and without the necessary power. South Africa then look like they’re about to score our wide through Kurt-Lee Arendse but Blair Kinghorn’s clever scrambled defence saves Scotland. He does knock on, though, so danger still very much lurks..

50'

Sensational second for Springboks

Sometimes it’s ok to sit and admire. With a penalty advantage for a Ben White offside, Manie Libbock caresses a beautiful cross-field kick into the arms of the onrushing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who doesn’t need to break stride to zoom home. Far de Klerk, who appears to have assumed kicking duties from Libbock, nails his conversion from out side to add the gloss. 18-3 in Marseille.

36'

Scotland dominating at scrum time perhaps?

Pierre Schoeman, what a player. He forces a Springbok scrum penalty for collapsing – not something you can say happens on the regular. The crowd are entering into cries of ‘Schoooo’ which, in French, unsurprisingly sounds similar to back home.

17: 50

Seymour says scrum savagery could inspire Scotland

Former Scotland wing Tommy Seymour says that late scrum penalty, from which Finn Russell landed three points, could spark the team into life: “Amazing effort, to be 39 minutes into a hugely physical battle, the effort form the 8 and the front three in particularly to win that was immense.

“That has changed the half time team talk. With the lack of possession and territory to go in 6-3 down is a positive for us. Hopefully the shot in the arm we need to kick on.”

46'

Du Toit makes breakthrough

It’s been coming, from relentless Springbok belligerence. Scotland defend resolutely but after several attempts to barge the door down, South Africa smash through it with former World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit the scorer from close range. Libbock fluffs his lines again, so it’s only a five-point salvo. 11-3 to the world champions.

27'

All eyes on Finn’s ribs

He’s the crucial cog, so when Finn Russell comes off second best in a collision with Cheslin Kolbe, after Kolbe’s intercept attempt went awry, the nation waits with concern. In the meantime, Russell is also being investigated for the challenge itself on Kolbe. Gardner and TMO Ben Whitehouse agree on a penalty only for South Africa.

33'

Superb Scottish turnover

South Africa marching their way far too close to Scotland’s try line here, but the pack in dark blue manage to counter and hold the ball up, earning a scrum for their considerable efforts. Each and every Scottish forward looks like they’ve had to dig deep from the get-go, at the same time loving their task at hand.

39'

Huge, huge Scotland scrum penalty!

On the half-way line, with the interval about to be called, Scotland produce an outrageous scrum set to pulverize the fabled South African unit. The Scots celebrate in the manner they very well should, and Finn Russell slots his side’s first points – could that prove telling in the end?

40'

Three points in it at half-time

South Africa lead 6-3, so it’s not been high-scoring, but fascinating nonetheless. Two Manie Libbock penalties to one from Finn Russell don’t tell the full tale of a game that’s been packed with brutal physicality, precious few chances and some questionable tackles from both sides. Scotland very much in it, but need to produce the same 40 minutes and then some.

16'

Boks offside, thankfully

They’re so, so quick off the line, the world champions. But they move a step early and are called offside, Scotland again clearing to touch from Russell’s boot into Springbok quarters. Line-out goes long again, though, and South Africa counter. Blair Kinghorn puts a mighty boot to it and at least gets the ball back in the right half of the pitch. It’s every-sapping stuff in a hot stadium.

29'

Graham gallops into green space – Scotland starting to click

Scotland’s first serious attacking intent comes from a well-worked long line-out, with Russell feeding Darcy Graham into acres of space. The flying wing opts to dummy with Kinghorn and van der Merwe outside him. Not the wrong call, just very well defended by South Africa. IN a flash, though, the Springboks are right back in Scotland’s danger zone, although Scotland escape with a handy Ben White touch-finder. It’s frantic still, even after half an hour in Marseille.

21'

First fisticuffs dampened by referee

Ben White and Damian de Allende are reprimanded, very gently at this stage, by Angus Gardner, for an altercation which sparks a mini-grievance with others involved. Nothing to see, carry on.

25'

Wiese knocks on to offer Scotland a scrum platform

Jasper Wiese takes the restart comfortably, but fumbles the ball and Scotland, once South Africa have replaced Eben Etzebeth with RG Snyman in the second row, will try to have a go at this Springbok defence from a very promising position.

11'

Scots matching Boks’ physicality – but champs lead 3-0

Scotland have been every bit as willing in contact as South Africa’s massive pack, and almost counter-ruck to great effect before Finn Russell is adjudged to have deliberately knock-on. Libbock doesn’t miss this time from dead centre, and it’s 3-0 in Marseille.

19'

Scotland err at a line-out; penalty Boks

Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie brings Pieter-Steph du Toit down illegally and the team in bright green and white (it’s their alternate kit rather than the iconic green and gold) kick to touch. This time South Africa make the unforced error, kicking on so Scotland will have the scrum – after the game’s first water break.

23'

Springboks extend lead to 6

Scotland not releasing, Sione Tuipulotu the transgressor, and Libbock doubles his tally from the tee to see his side six clear.

4'

Scrum offers respite for players (and viewers)

If you like your rugby chaotic and unpredictable, you’ve come to the right place. Both sides look nervy, the Springboks perhaps more so, with Russell and Huw Jones both executing great clearance kicks when under pressure. Possible high shot on Jack Dempsey by Damian de Allende? Nothing doing apparently. Scotland scrum from a knock-on, 10m inside their own half.

6'

Scotland enter Springbok territory

Steven Kitshoff is offside at the breakdown and referee Gardner spots it immediately. Russell lands a tidy touch and for the first time today, Scotland have an attacking platform in South Africa’s half. The following line-out goes long, though, and Scotland then knock-on, Japser Wiese making ground before play stops for a scrum to the world champions for a prior knock-on.

16:35

Darcy to dance?

He’s not alone, but this man could be the difference this afternoon. Darcy Graham is in irresistible form, and has 19 tries from 35 Scotland caps so far. Prolific? You bet – although Duhan van der Merwe boasts 20 from his 31 appearances; perhaps both should be adding to those totals today..?

1'

Scotland’s Rugby World Cup 2023 off and running in Marseille

Referee Angus Gardner, of Australia, signals the start of proceedings in what promises to be an engrossing bout of international rugby over the course of the next couple of hours.

Manie Libbock hoists one towards Scotland’s 22, with Blair Kinghorn knocking on but the ball goes safe; early Scotland line-out sees a Finn Russell clearance charged down. Everyone be calm.

9'

Scrum penalty goes South Africa’s way; Libbock pulls wide

Zander Fagerson brings that scrum down, according to Gardner, and Manie Libbock will have a go at the three points from all of 40m. It’s hooked though, and Blair Kinghorn will lead the escape by way of a 22m drop-out.

15:45

Back-to-back internationals!

Your next chance to see Scotland in action at home is in just under three weeks! Scotland Women host Spain on Saturday 30 September at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh (kick-off 5.45pm). Tickets are available now HERE

Fans attending the game will be able to watch Scotland Men’s match against Romania (kick-off 8pm BST) in The Tennent’s Up & Under bar, entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

16:15

Marseille awaits

Stade Veledrome, with its 67,000 capacity (sound familiar?) will be a festival of noise and colour come 4.45pm, when Scotland get their Rugby World Cup campaign underway in earnest against the defending champions South Africa.

Stay with us for all the talking points, insight and, hopefully, reasons to be cheerful come full-time..!

16:25

Backs to light it up?

If Scotland are to upset the Rugby World Cup applecart this afternoon, the players wearing the above array of shirts will have to put in one of their finest collective performances. From right to left, Ben White, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn (don’t forget Ali Price, number 21) – all of them could play a telling part in this Pool B encounter.

16:45

Insight from Tommy Seymour

Former Scotland winger Tommy Seymour, who excelled at two Rugby World Cups in 2015 and 2019, scoring five tries across seven performances, will be offering his thoughts throughout today’s Scotland v South Africa match-up.

On Scotland having a chance today, Tommy says: “Absolutely they do, it’s a huge challenge and they will need to start strong but the team we have is incredibly capable of securing a win. It’s important we meet them up front.

They live for the physical part of the game so it’s imperative that we get that part right and create a platform for Ben & Finn at 9/10.”

15:15

Huw Jones

“Making it to a Rugby World Cup is the goal for any international rugby player, it’s the pinnacle of what you can achieve, so having this opportunity is huge.”

Huw Jones reflects on being named in the Rugby World Cup squad in our latest episode of Our Journey, brought to you by sportsbreaks.com. Read his interview HERE

16:15

A sea of blue in Marseille

Scotland fans are getting ready to cheer on Scotland at Stade Velodrome!

15:30

Our Journey: Episode 3

“Our Journey”, brought to you by sportsbreaks.com, takes you closer than ever to the team as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup.

In part three of the series Scotland Centre, Huw Jones, Tighthead Prop, Javan Sebastian, and Captain, Jamie Ritchie, take us through a whirlwind few weeks for the squad.

You can find out more information on sportsbreaks packages for the Rugby World Cup HERE