Boks scrap through unconvincing 29-15 Scottish win

An uninspiring Springbok outfit managed to scrape through to a 29-15 victory over Scotland at the EPRU Stadium on Saturday to end up 2-0 victors in their two Test series.

Much credit for the fortunate Bok win in an error ridden encounter went to Percy Montgomery, whose ever reliable boot kept the Boks abreast of a feisty Scotland.

Scotland, though, showed plenty of fight throughout the 80 minutes as they continuously threatened to breach the Boks defence on numerous occasions as they foraged forward for that first ever win in South Africa.

Two tries from winger Simon Webster in the first half and the second from substitute Donnie Macfayden kept the Scots in the game.

But Montgomery’s boot sealed the fate of the Scots as the blond fullback hoofed over seven penalties with Jaco van der Westhuizen slotting another from 52metres. Fourie du Preez’s try in the 62nd minute stretched the Boks lead to 23-8 almost killing any hopes of a Scotland upset.

In the first half the Boks showed little intiative going forward and were often their own nemesis as they moved around aimlessly. And what may have seemed like small meaningless errors could have easily cost the Springboks the lead before half-time.

The Scottish pack looked more aggressive and confidently challenged the formidable home pack in the tight phases. Although the Boks enjoyed a good measure of ball in the first half they simply failed to do anything with it while the Scots seemed intent on crossing the line.

The Bok forwards were on most occasions beaten to the point of breakdown by their more mobile opponents while John Smit struggled to find Victor Matfield in the lineouts, causing the South African more problems.

And Scotland could have easily led the Boks at half-time were it not for Webster’s knock on with nobody hindering him a metre from the Bok in-goal area.