Scotland player ratings vs South Africa as Gregor Townsend’s men took on the World Champions at Murrayfield.
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South Africa showcased their strength as world champions, proving too much for Scotland, who will leave Murrayfield with a sense of regret after failing to capitalize on ample possession and territory. Despite solid defensive efforts and strong work at the breakdown, Scotland’s attack never truly fired, leaving them with missed opportunities throughout the game.
South Africa, despite a brief period of pressure, regained control in the latter stages, demonstrating their brutal efficiency to comfortably close out the match.
Scroll down for Scotland player ratings vs South Africa.
Scotland: 15
- Tries:
- Cons:
- Pens: Finn Russell (16′, 21′, 32′, 43′, 60′)
South Africa: 32
- Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (03′, 34′), Thomas du Toit (29′), Jasper Wiese (79′)
- Cons: Handre Pollard (30′, 35′,79′)
- Pens: Handre Pollard 64′, 73′)
Scotland Player Ratings vs South Africa
15 Tom Jordan – 8
Jordan looks extremely comfortable in the 15 shirt and it was more of the same for the full back. 11 carries and 144 metres made in his first start. He can be very proud of his performance.
14 Blair Kinghorn – 6
Uneventful and quiet game for Kinghorn, who found himself in a fairly unfamiliar position of winger. Did not make any major errors but did not do anything remarkable either.
13 Huw Jones – 7
Plenty of carries and jinky runs that helped Scotland gain territory and momentum. Unfortunately dropped the ball in the buildup to White’s disallowed try but he performed well.
12 Sione Tuipulotu (Captain) – 7
Tuipulotu was at his running best with plenty of crash balls and hard lines. Jones and Tuipulotu in the centres is a partnership that plenty will speak about for years to come.
11 Duhan van der Merwe – 7
The huge winger had his moments and was able to help his team try and score. Good defensive positioning but, he was unable to show his fast pace.
10 Finn Russell – 8
Excellent performance from the Bath fly-half. Sharp kicking and superb off the tee. Single-handedly dragged his team back into the game.
9 Ben White – 8
Brilliant performance from White. Absolutely livewire and electric. He commanded his team well and was able to deliver fast ball from the ruck.
8 Jack Dempsey – 6
Much like his back row counterparts, Dempsey rarely put a foot wrong. However, there were no outstanding qualities to report.
7 Rory Darge – 6
Perhaps fortunate to escape punishment for his part in Cummings’ red card. But Darge put it behind him and performed decently well.
6 Matt Fagerson – 6
All action and appeared to be all over pitch, putting in tackles and hitting rucks. Textbook definition of a blindside flanker. Solid performance from Fagerson.
5 Scott Cummings – 3
Controversial red card for the second row. A hip-drop on Franco Mostert in the ruck ended his evening, therefore cannot be rated higher.
4 Grant Gilchrist – 6
Nothing in particular to report. Gilchrist went under the radar but played decently.
3 Zander Fagerson – 6
Very similar to his front-row mates. Did his job and that was all.
2 Ewan Ashman – 6
A couple of good carries and good defensive work. Decent showing.
1 Pierre Schoeman – 5
The loosehead did not affect the game too much and went missing throughout the game. Very quiet for the prop.
Replacements
16 Dylan Richardson – 6
Off the bench, it was always going to be hard for the Scottish replacements. But he did decently well but could not force the South African forwards into a mistake.
17 Rory Sutherland – 6
Tricky game for Sutherland. The bomb squad got the better of him, which was to be expected, but he did his job adequately.
18 Elliot Millar Mills – 6
Much like Sutherland, it was difficult for the tighthead. A couple of carries and defensive work but a quiet showing.
19 Max Williamson – N/A
20 Josh Bayliss – 6
Was gotten the better of by Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi. He could not hugely impact the game but did enough to try and help Scotland back into the game.
21 Jamie Ritchie – 7
Came off the bench and put in a good shift. Matched Wiese very well in the secod half but unfortunately, Scotland came up short.
22 Jamie Dobie – 6
Continued the trend of Scotland benefiting off of fast ball. However, South Africa eere a level above and he could not change that course of action.
23 Stafford McDowall – N/a
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