The world champions have lost none of their striking power. Beaten twice since their coronation at the Stade de France, against Ireland and Argentina, the South Africans launched their autumn tour with a solid success against Scotland (15-32). A victory acquired at the end of an epic fight and four tries, including two from Makazole Mapimpi, put into orbit by caviars at the feet of Willie Le Roux and Handré Pollard.
The first brilliant inspiration comes from the fly half. In the 4th minute, the former Montpellier player attempted a superb cross with his foot which ended on the five meter line, between the big hands of Mapimpi, who only had to finish. Half an hour later, Willie Le Roux used the same technique, even if his pass was much shorter, to reach the winger, author of a double.
In the meantime, everything had gone in favor of the Springboks. In the 12th minute, Scott Cummings was penalized for a foul clearance. First excluded for ten minutes, the second row finally received a 20-minute red card, a new feature introduced by World Rugby and tested during this autumn tour. He was finally replaced by Max Williamson at the end of these 20 minutes at 14 against 15, just after Thomas du Toit’s opportunistic try after a missed touch by his teammate Mostert (30th, 6-12).
The XV of Chardon dangerous but imprecise
The rest of the meeting was just an intense fight, won by the South Africans. Ben White, however, thought he had scored the hopeful’s try just before half-time, at the end of a superb sequence with full-back Tom Jordan, but the referee finally found a forward from Huw Jones at the start of action and removed the seven Scottish points.
But the Chardon XV was in the match, and the second half proved it. Despite the entry of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi, and the immense match of Eben Etzebeth, Finn Russell’s teammates made the Springboks suffer, finding the opening several times, notably via Van der Merwe or Jones . However, they always wasted their chances when approaching the goal. The South Africans were devilishly effective, with two decisive penalties scored by Pollard (64th, 74th). A final try from Jasper Wiese after a big scrum sealed the score.
This huge fight is only the Springboks’ first in this autumn tour. Next Saturday, they will travel to England, before challenging Wales the following weekend. The Scots will face Portugal and Australia, victorious yesterday in the XV de la Rose.
