For about 10 minutes, it looked like Scotland was going to set the proverbial cat among the Pool C pigeons.
It also looked like there would be more interminable TMO calls for straightforward tries. A superb break by industrious Scotland No8 Magnus Bradbury set in train events which led to a clear try to wing Jamie Farndale, so why Glenn Newman was called upon to check an offside was a mystery.
But after the early Scottish huff and puff, normal service was resumed, and South Africa gradually pulled away.
South Africa had hit back via prop Pierre Schoeman and later wing Sergeal Petersen, as the Junior Boks started to exert pressure on the creaking Scotland lineout, while respective coaches Sean Lineen and Dawie Theron tested their blood pressure and the glass in the coaches’ boxes.
South Africa did not even need to be as sharp as tacks on attack, the first Lloyd Greef try coming from a double-round move off a scrum that was done well behind the gain line.
But defensively, Scotland had by now cracked.
South African fullback Warrick Gelant looked useful with his incisions and scored a sweet try, hitting the gap and bolting like a hare, while there was no shortage of heft in the pack to soak up the pressure.
Scotland threw the kitchen sink at their foes in the opening exchanges, but ultimately they looked out-gunned and first-five Ben Chalmers, just 18 and son of former Scotland first-five Craig Chalmers, stood even deeper than his father and was content to try and rifle the ball into the corners.
Conversely, Bulls first-five Handre Pollard dictated proceedings in increasingly assured fashion, setting up centre Jesse Kriel for his first score with a silky chip, regather and flick pass, and slotting 14 points.
South Africa (J. Kriel 2, L. Greef 2, P. Schoeman, S. Petersen, M. Marx, W. Gelant, A. Davis tries; H. Pollard 7 con, Jean-Luc du Plessis con). Scotland (Jamie Farndale try). Halftime: 14-5.
South Africa 61
Scotland5
Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/01/international-rugby-board-facing-a-tmo-problem-that-will-not-go-away
Rugby: Scotland brave before Junior Boks hit top gear
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