And with that I’ll sign off. Thanks to everyone for writing in. Hope you enjoyed that. See you soon.
Here’s Robert Kitson’s report from a steamy Marseille. He’s singled out Pieter-Steph du Toit who was my player of the match. The Boks flanker hunted down anyone in blue for 80 minutes. An insane work rate.
Scotland lost six of their own line-outs. It’s hard enough getting the victory against any side with that stat. It’s almost impossible when you’re playing the Springboks. Back the drawing board for Gregor Townsend and his staff.
Now it’s time for the player of the match, Manie Libbok:
“I just want to thank my forwards for giving me the platform. I saw the space and knew what I wanted to do,” he says rather modestly.
“I’m so honoured to be able to represent my country. I’ll take confidence from this and move on.”
Here’s Jamie Ritchie:
I’ve got to give credit to South Africa. We couldn’t execute under pressure.
I’m really proud how we fronted up physically. We really took it to them physically. There is loads to play for. We’ve got a bye next week so plenty of time to dust ourselves off. It’s one set back but plenty to play for.
“Go Bok, go proud of you guys,you make us proud, rainbow nation, unity is key”
That uplifting message, from a South African point of view at least, is from Butini Zitha.
Full-time: South Africa 18-3 Scotland
Willemse kicks it out and in the end that was pretty comfortable for the defending champions. Scotland landed a few blows in the first half but only three points. In the second half it was effectively one way traffic. At line-out and in the scrum the Boks pack monstered their Scottish counterparts and with relentless carries they scored they created the space to score two tries. South Africa weren’t at their best, but they didn’t need to be. They’re up and running. Scotland with plenty of work to do.
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80th min: Scotland’s last chance to score but they transgress at the line-out. What a waste. It was a great touch finder by Russell but they give away a free kick. And that will be that.
79th min: Scotland get a penalty in the scrum before the ball is fed into the morass. They tap and go left. They’re held up so come back right. Russell floats a ball over the top for Ritchie. The ball is lost but there is a penalty advantage for an infringement on the ground as they try to slow it down.
77th min: A messy line-out ends with Williams – on for De Klerk – cantering up field. The game is breaking apart. He beats one then another but is hauled down by an ankle tap by Russell. That saved a try for sure. Williams has no support so the ball is turned over and Scotland launch a counter of their own. It’s fumbled as bodies fly everywhere. SA with the scrum.
76th min: Scotland have a chance. A quick turnover after South Africa go down the blindside following the scrum ends with Price kicking a grubber up ahead. Kinghorn is charging after it but it bounces out.
75th min: SA have a goal line clearance after a Scottish kick goes long. So Scotland charge it back up field. They’re still knocking on the door but the Boks defence has been immense. Jones fumbles in midfield so South Africa have a scrum on the 10m line. A few fans are starting to leave.
75th min: South Africa turn them. Vermeulen sends it wide. Kolbe has it and makes a blistering run. He’s made 30m. He can;t quite get to the corner. De Klerk has it to keep it alive. De Allende feeds Mostet. A dink over the top is caught by Van der Merwe. Scotland survive. Perhaps Kolbe could have passed but he was moving so fast it was hard to keep up with him.
73rd min: Better scrum for Scotland. Kinghorn can attack on the front foot. Gray has it but the speed of the South African defence means everything is rushed in the Scottish line. Russell is almost swallowed by Du Toit. Scotland kick and Le Roux gathers and punts it out.
71st min: This time the Scottish line-out works. It’s worked all the way to Van der Merwe. He’s wrapped up by Arendse who stands strong against the much bigger winger. Russell is hit and Du Toit makes the steal. De Allende carries really well. He’s been hammering the line all day. The ball is spilled and Scotland get the scrum feed.
70th min: Scotland don’t challenge the line-out. They attack with Vermeulen carrying but Scotland turn him over. Great work on the ground. Smith kicks long. A little too long. Willemse peddles back and gathers well. He then hoofs it over the half-way line.
69th min: Libbok kicks into touch and is then replaced by Le Roux. Willemse will go to fly-half.
69th min: Scrum penalty for South Africa. The Bomb Squad has obliterated Scotland’s replacement front row.
68th min: Scotland’s line-out – once again – is a disaster. South Africa defend it well but the ball is loose at the back and Du Toit comes away with it. South Africa knock-on on the counter. Scotland have an attacking scrum on the 22 in front of the poles.
66th min: Scotland do nothing with their line-out. South Africa have it back after a nothing kick. They look to move it down the line but Scotland intercept. Both teams looking a little scrappy and slow. Russell moves it to Nel who goes to ground. White to Russell. Van der Merwe can’t get past Arendse. Matt Fagerson carries. South Africa go in search of a steal but they’re penalised. Nyakane offside. Scotland will kick to the corner.
65th min: South Africa with the line-out. Du Toit has it under pressure. They set the maul and it rumbles up field. Scotland defend well and the ball pops out. Arendse quickly cleans it and attempts a little grubber and chase. Instead Scotland have the line-put as Arendse’s foot was out.
63rd min: Scotland think they’ve scored! But Gardner calls them back. From the line-out, thanks to a 50-22 from Russell. They didn’t take it from the right spot so go again. Dempsey round the back. Nel charges. Graham can’t wriggel free. South Africa defend resolutely. They’re shunting them backwards. All the way to the 22. South Afroca’s quick defence keeps knocking them backwards. Penalty for South Africa. Scotland had a line-out but it ends with Kolisi coming up with the steal.
60th min: South Africa with quick ball off the line-out. Willemse joins the line and keeps it moving. De Allende misses his pass on the loop. It goes loose. South Africa just about get away with it. Graham hacks it upfield.
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60th min: A few changes as the players take a drinks break. Gilchrist is off for Cummings and Vermuelen replaces Wiese.
59th min: Faf can’t curl it round and Scotland clear with a kick. South Africa with it inside Scottish territory. Their meaty men are bashing it up. Willemse at first receiver carries himself. Libbok now back inside for a carrier off his shoulder. De Allende finds Kolisi in some space on the left. De Klerk kicks – poorly – and Kinghorn can gather the grubber and hoof it as far as he can. South Africa will have the feed between the 22 and half-way line.
58th min: Another penalty at the scrum for South Africa. Two in a row. Scotland have a new front row themselves but they can’t stop the Bomb Squad. Nyakane comes up roaring. De Klerk points to the sticks.
57th min: Du Toit brings down the line-out but it’s South Africa who cough up a great opportunity to launch an attack. Marx, who is back on with a bloody bandage on his head, knocks on in the tackle. Now Marx is subbed. He’s been on and off the bench all day.
55th min: Penalty for South Africa. The brand new front row come on and immediately spin the Scottish pack around. What a missed opportunity for Scotland. This feels like momentum has truly turned. The Boks are fully in control now.
53rd min: Scotland’s line-out isn’t clean but they’ll have a scrum about 15 metres out after South Africa’s loosies on the prowl knock the ball on.
52nd min: South Africa secure the restart and kick it towards half way. The ball is spilled but backwards so Scotland still have it. They get a penalty after Mbonambi doesn’t roll away and Russell kicks to the corner, but can’t quite get it five metres out. The Bomb Squad is out now. South Africa with a new front row.
TRY! South Africa 18-3 Scotland (Arendse, 49)
What a try! That’s brilliant work from Libbok and Arendse. After turning Scotland over, the heavies bashed it up field. Libbok got it and looked up to see Arendse in space out to the right. A cross field kick couldn’t have been placed better and Arendse gathers it without breaking stride and gets over in the corner.
This time De Klerk and his left boot steps up to convert and he adds the extra two points.
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48th min: South Africa clear from the restart 10 metres inside their own half. Scotland’s throw looked skew from here but they still have it. Dempsey has it and pops it back against the grain. Ricthie can’t wriggle free. Van der Merwe has to act as scrumhalf. Ruseel plays a cute pass to Gray. But South Africa shove them backwards and turn them over.
Just immense power from the Boks. That will worry the Scottish coaches.
TRY! South Africa 11-3 Scotland (Du Toit, 45)
Finally they get through. It started with a solid scrum foundation on the right. De Allende charged towards the line but was sent backwards by Darge. South Africa recycled and went down the line through the forwards. Marx went close before Du Toit drove over to dot down. Libbok can’t convert.
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44th min: Kolisi gets past a tackler. Quick ball out right has the Boks moving forward. De Allende. De Klerk to Kitshof who pops to Marx. He’s tackled low. Through the middle goes Malherbe. Then to Kriel then Arendse. He steps off his right foot. De Klerk to Snyman but he’s clatterd bu Kinghorn. The Scottish fullback knocks on in the tackle so it’ll be a scrum for the Boks about eight metres out.
43rd min: Libbok takes aim from around 55 metres out but can’t reach the poles. Scotland’s clearance isn’t great and South Africa attack inside Scotland’s territory. De Allende with a strong carry.
42nd min: BOOM! That’s a statement. This time South Africa’s scrum consumes the Scottish front row. The two packs wheel around and Gardner’s arm points for a penalty. All is right once again in the universe as the natural order of things resumes.
41st min: Scotland kickoff. Libbok launches a high return. Scotland knock on so South Africa will have the feed just inside their own half. Let’s see if they’ve sorted their scrum.
Out they come. A gigantic, humungous, enormous 40 minutes for both sides. This half could define their respective World Cup campaigns.
“What a half, Dan.” I agree, Simon McMahon.
“Scotland matching the current world champions. My fear is that, should we come up just short and assume our regular position of gallant losers once more come the final whistle, this World Cup, like 1991 and 2015, will become another case of what might have been. I really hope I’m wrong, but pessimism is just hard wired into the Scottish psyche, I think .”
If they can match their first half performance across the next 40 minutes they could well end up on the winning side. Keep the faith, Simon.
Half-time: South Africa 6-3 Scotland
That was breathless. What a contest. Both sides battered each other. Scotland go into the break three points down but with momentum behind them. Many expected the Boks pack to bully the Scots but it hasn’t quite worked that way. And when Scotland did go wide they looked the more dangerous side. Graham had a golden chance to set up a try but decided to go it alone. Scotland have been impressive with ball in hand and in the nasty exchanges up front. South Africa have to find an extra gear.
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Penalty! South Africa 6-3 Scotland (Russell, 40)
Scotland on the board with the final touch of the half.
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39th min: Malherbe again penalised. Two in a row. He went to his knee. Ritchie points to the poles.
38th min: The Boks have a scrum just inside their half. Time to reestablish their indomitable aura at set piece. But Scotland aren’t buying the hype and give as good as they get. They shove the Springboks pack backwards and get the penalty! An immense shove from the Scots.
37th min: Tuipolotu bashes it up after the line-out is secured. But Scotland knock on in midfield. Schoeman spills it after getting crunched by Marx.
36th min: Scrum again for Scotland. And they win the penalty! Another huge win for the Scottish heavies. Malherbe penalised. That doesn’t happen often. Not steady, says Gardner.
Scotland have stood firm so far. And they look dangerous when going wide. They’re in this. No doubt about it.
35th min: Scrum for Scotland inside their 22. De Klerk wraps up Dempsey at the back. But they get hold of it and kick down field. Willemse comes forward and gathers. He then kicks himself and chases it, knocks it on and we’ll all take a moment to breathe.
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34th min: Scotland’s line-out over the top finally clicked there. But now it’s South Africa mauling in Scottish territory after De Allende and Snyman made some ground. South Africa maul but Scotland haul it down and get the scrum. Phew. I can barely keep up with this game. An insane pace to it. Scotland with the latest moral win with that maul defence.
32nd min: Scotland clean up but look knackered. Russell kicks for Graham but he can’t reach it. He spent so much energy charging for the corner.
30th min: Scotland have a chance! Kriel tearas out of the line but can’t intercept. Scotland have to score. They don’t! Graham can;’t free the ball and chooses to go himself. White to Gray to Russell to Schoeman. Snyman makes a tackle. Tuipulotu carries. It’s stolen. Kitshoff has it. They counter. Kriel kicks up field with Willemse chasing.
29th min: Scotland kick to Kolbe. He kicks it high. The ball is juggled a couple of times until it lands with Van der Merwe. White then Russell. Russell kicks into space and almost gets a 50-22.
28th min: Snyman catches the line-out. South Africa launch from the right and snake their way left. Mostert carries with force. Willemse at first receiver spins out of a tackle. De Allende dominates a collision but the ball is spilled in the tackle.
No card. But the penalty is awarded to South Africa. No head collision. Russell is breathing a little heavy after copping a blow to his ribs in that collision. Libbok just about finds touch. Tuipulotu tries to catch it and haul it back infield.
They’re going upstairs. Russell could be in trouble here. They’re looking at a potential no arm tackle on Arendse.
26th min: There’s an early change. Snyman is on for Etzebeth. Something must be up with the big man.
Back on the pitch Scotland get a good move out the back of their scrum after a free kick. It’s with Van der Merwe skips past a couple of defenders. The ball goes left and there’s a huge overlap with five men free but Arendse races off his line and makes a tackle that needed making. He actually knocks on before the tackle is made but he tried to make an intercept. The crowd boo but there won’t be a call of a deliberate knock on. Scotland will have a scrum.
26th min: Scotland steal the ball back inside South Africa’s 22 after the restart thanks to a knock-on. Schoeman has it. Scotland with an opportunity to go right but Kinghorn can’t get it out wide and is shackled. Scotland will have the feed.
Penalty! South Africa 6-0 Scotland (Libbok, 25)
From the left of the pitch, Libbok curls it round and slots it through the posts. South Africa double their lead.
23rd min: Correction. There was no penalty for South Africa. Scotland had the line-out and bring it down. It’s slow out the back and the maul goes down. Scotland clear over half-way with a kick. South Africa set up with a De Klerk box. Russell gathers. Tuipulotu is tackled by Kolbe. Scotland give away a penalty for not releasing the ball. Kolbe deserves immense praise for that harrying defence. Marx, back on the field, ges over the ball and steals it.
Angus Gardner gives both players a talking to. No further sanctions.
Updated
The crowd is up for it. Ritchie stands up to Etzebeth as they wrestle. That’s got the fans going. Penalty awarded to South Africa. Not sure what sparked all that. There might have been a punch in there. It’s De Allender and White who were involved at the start.
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22nd min: Etzebeth charges White’s box kick. It’s hacked down field and South Africa launch another counter. They attack down the left. De Allende carries and is sent into touch. There are scuffles and pushing and shoving. A few hands in faces and fists clutching shirts.
20th min: They’re back and packing down for a scrum. Scotland have the feed inside their own 22. They get it out the back. Dempsey charges and makes ground. Russell kick over half-way and South Africa counter through Willemse. Kinghorn nails him. De Klerk to Kitshoff. South African then kick into Scottish territory.
Malcom Marx is off the field for Bongi Mbonambi. Just a blood replacement. They’ll patch the big fella up as quick as possible and send him back out.
20th min: Mostert brings it down and the maul sets. But it’s out the back and De Allende charges but can’t hold on to the pop pass Solid defence from Scotland. They’ll have the scrum.
But first, a drinks break.
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19th min: Du Toit is lifted in the line-out but Ritchie is over zealous and gives away a penalty. So Libbok can nudge it into Scotland’s 22 and will have the feed.
18th min: Scotland miss their jumper again at the line-out. Marx has it. It’s spinning wide. De Allende to Kriel. Willemse has it. He kicks. Not the right option. Scotland can clean up and they clear it over half-way.
17th min: Etzebeth hammers Russell! That was bone shattering. Libbok counters with a chip and chase. Russell collects and almost wriggles through a gap in the middle. South Africa are off-side and give away a penalty.
15th min: Gray hauls the line-out down from the back of the line-out. Scotland set up around half-way. Turner makes a burst. Russell is under pressure and hacks an ugly looking kick. It’s partially charged and South Africa have the ball back and kick it towards the Scotland 22. Kinghorn marks.
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14th min: Eztebeth charges inside his 22 to make some room for De Klerk to clear with a box. He makes good ground and lands it just inside his own half. Good exit from the Boks.
Penalty! South Africa 3-0 Scotland (Libbok, 13)
No mistake this time. From 35 metres out he puts it between the uprights.
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11th min: De Allende catches the restart and makes ground. So does Wiese. Ded Klerk fizzes it to Kolbe who jiggles back in field. Kitshoff carries then Etzebeth. Scotland make a mess of things in the breakdown. It gets sloppy and there’s a knock-on by Russell. It’s deemed deliberate and it’s a long arm penalty right in front of the poles. Boos greet the decision.
10th min: Libbok misses a shot at goal that he really should have nailed.
9th minute: The scrum goes down and it’s a penalty for the Boks. Zander Fagerson is the guilty man. That’s one point for Kitshoff on the second shove. Libbok points to the poles.
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7th min: Scotland miss their line-out and Wiese juggles and then gathers. Libbok hoist a high ball. Kinghorn gets high but knocks-on in the air. Scrum to South Africa 10m into Scottish territory.
6th min: Scotland get clean ball out the back of the scrum. White is swallowed at the base of a ruck by Wiese. Van der Merwe makes a little room but Kriel tackles him. Gray carries but Kitshoff wonders offside before making a tackle. So Russell will hoof it up field.
What a start this has been. Absolutely hectic from both sides. Let’s see how the Scotland tight five goes against the big Boks.
5th min: Time for a breather. Scotland will have the feed to the scrum on the left tram inside their own half.
3rd min: Libbok goes for a drop goal but not before Kolisi palms off Van der Merwe in the tram. Frenetic start from the Boks who are giving the ball air.
1 min: Mostert charges down White’s clearing kick. South Africa all over them. But the line-out is a brave one that comes off. It goes right over the top. Scotland secure the ball and exit down field.
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1 min: Scotland knock-on from the kick-off. South Africa gather, Libbok kicks in towards the left wing but it bounces out.
It’ll be South Africa to kick off. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. HERE WE GO!
The teams are out of the tunnel. The atmosphere is incredible! Scotland in their traditional navy. South Africa looking like tubes of toothpaste. The stage is set. Now for the anthems.
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My guess is there are more South African fans than Scottish ones. I’m going on the volume of the crowd following the announcement of each players name. Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe get the loudest roars of approval.
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50 up for Faf. It’s a half century for the nuggety scrummie with the blonde mop. He’s been hoisting high box kicks during the warm up. No points for guessing what he plans to do once the opening whistle sounds.
A special day for @fafdeklerk 5️⃣0️⃣#StrongerTogether #Springboks #RWC2023 #RSAvSCO pic.twitter.com/QguRrZXLJ6
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 10, 2023
“Hi Dan.”
Hey Simon McMahon. With that surname I can guess which team you’ll be cheering for today..
“I’m pretty excited for this one. This is the most exciting Scotland side I can remember, and they are more than capable of springing a surprise against the reigning champions today. If they can put 80 minutes together. If not, we’ll lose. But we won’t go down without a fight, though not literally of course (I hope). Even if it doesn’t go our way today, we have Ireland to look forward to, and we owe them one. COME ON SCOTLAND!!!”
Too right. Scotland will fully back themselves to do something special today. And without the burden of expectation they can go out there and let rip. Remember Russell’s contribution when he joined the British & Irish Lions in 2021? All of a sudden a stodgy looking group in red were painting the prettiest pictures. He’s that sort of player. If he cooks today the Boks will know all about it.
“Dan, Just boarded a plane to the US for work. Am gutted I will not be able to watch the game… maybe we could have a slight delay… because I think the first 10min are all important. C’mon SCOTLAND!!!”
That’s from Fraser Donaldson. Besides hoping his plane gets severely delayed so he can watch the whole game, he makes a great point.
I think that’s Scotland’s best chance of winning this. They need an early lead. If the Boks get on top I can’t see them letting up.
It’s cooking in Marseille. Around 30C and it feels a little like Cape Town on a scorching mid-summer’s day.
But Teamy from Lisbon is choosing to focus their attention elsehwere:
“Just landed in Lisbon and the weather in decidedly Scottish. I’m taking this as a good omen, regardless of what it’s like in Marseille. Actually quite glad as I was planning to watch in one of the Praças with friends but now no-one needs to see me in a state of high anxiety for 80 mins”
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Scotland haven’t beaten South Africa since 2010. But that didn’t deter Jamie Ritchie who not only said his team will play “the fastest rugby in the world” but also that his charges can “beat anyone in the group”.
Talk about fighting talk. They’re confident. And why not? They’re ranked fifth in the world for a reason.
Just to get you in the mood, here’s my preview of the match:
Boks looking to combine power with grace
It’s a pack that could shift Mount Puget if it wanted to. But that’s not the only weapon the defending champions have right now. They have a backline that can also sparkle and though their midfield is defensive their outside backs and fly-half are players who will look to attack every time they get their hands on the ball.
South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Mbonambi, Nche, Nyakane, Snyman, Van Staden, Vermeulen, Williams, Le Roux.
5⃣0⃣ up for De Klerk as Boks name an experienced side to face Scotland in Marseille on Sunday - team announcement: https://t.co/FiheVer0h1 💥#Springboks #StrongerTogether #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Wq2bNd7iq5
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 6, 2023
Scotland looking to run Boks ragged
They won’t die wondering, that’s for sure. It’s a backline that can tear any team apart with a “magician”, as Damian Willemse called him, wearing 10 on his back. But can they get enough ball to conjure their spells?
Scotland: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (c), Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith.
A reminder of your Scotland team to face South Africa.#AsOne | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/M2hSwS84tE
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) September 10, 2023
Preamble
Which is your favourite talking point? The clash of styles as the Springboks’ heavies meet the dash and daring of the Scottish backs? How about two maverick 10s pulling the strings? Or the clutch of South African-born players in the Scottish side who’d love to upset the odds? One of them is Duhan van der Merwe. How’s he going to get on against Cheslin Kolbe today?
We journalists and fans can turn any old match into a piece of theatre but no hyperbole is needed for this one. It’s arguably the best ever Scottish side – certainly in my lifetime – up against the defending champions.
Jamie Ritchie promised to play the “fastest rugby in the world” against the Boks and South Africa will want to underline the status as world champions with an emphatic and statement-making victory.
I’m buzzing for this. The atmosphere around Marseille has been frothing all weekend and this feels like the grand crescendo to cap it all off.
My name is Dan. Do drop me a line on twitter or email and if you fancy, send some pics of your and your mates wherever you’re watching this around the world.
I’ve got a feeling that this could be an all-timer.
