The sides had met four times in the 2010s, twice in Scotland, twice in South Africa. Curiously, all four resulted in away wins.
In the run-up to WXV the Boks played lots of warm-ups, Scotland very few. We would see which approach was sensible.
For much of the first half the Bok pack controlled events. On six minutes their power brought its reward with a penalty in front. Janse van Rensburg kicked the goal. 3-0
Five minutes later Lana Skeldon went off for an HIA. Fortunately for her and her team she returned later. The Scots pack was in big trouble at another scrum, but Mairi McDonald made a huge break and SA offended inside their own 22. Skeldon now returned, and Evie Gallagher completed the drive. 3-5
Now for a novelty: Helen Nelson didn’t use a tee; her kick fell short.
A fine combined Boks’ movement was completed by No 8 Aseza Hele. It derived from yet another
clearance-kick returned with compound interest. 12-5
When SA offended again close to their line, Natarsha Ganley issued a warning. Skeldon reaped
the reward with her 14th test try. 10-12
The Scottish backs were coming more and more into the game. They showed far greater flair and
accuracy than their opponents, but Bok strength up front had minimised their chances.
Now as the referee checked her watches, the game moved closer and closer to the hosts’ line. After a punishing series of phases, the Scots were across it in the 42nd minute – Skeldon had her second.
Moral: if you want to score tries, play hooker.
Half-time: Scotland 17 South Africa 10
The second forty might well see a turn of the tide. The Boks had been kept on the front foot by the weight and strength of the pack, but could they keep the pace up? It seemed doubtful. And Jade Konkel was allowed to enter the arena.
Even so, the Boks’ pack was still in control on 50 minutes, winning a penalty at another destructive scrum.
Not on 51 minutes though: Scotland put together their best combined movement yet. It seemed as if all 23 players were involved. They were held just short, but the Boks had trespassed. From the ensuing line-out it was Leah Bartlett on the ball. That was the Scots’ fourth try from a rolling maul.
Meryl Smith enjoyed her return to action with a fine conversion from near the edge. I have an idea she might be a starter next time. 24-10
My surmise strengthened a moment later. A loose Scots pass was hacked through by van Rensburg’s boot. Smith chased back, waited till her opponent was close, then picked the ball up and left her floundering. From there she produced a dummy, then another to produce an off-load in the tackle to Chloe Rollie. Rollie went on a typical round-the-houses run; she was stopped by a legal buffer-tackle by van Rensburg, but survived.
Some quite magnificent rugby on view.
On the three-quarter mark Scotland were showing far better stats than the hosts.
Leah Bartlett needed extensive treatment after being penalised at the scrum. Once recovered, she led a strring response; for once the Boks’ pack reeled backwards.
They in turn had an answer. A clean line-out and Roseline Botes claimed the reward. 24-17 At this point Konkel left for an HIA but did return.
At this critical moment Scotland took the offensive again. A sudden turnover, and the ball was spun left. Smith proved hard to pin down again, and the ball finished in Francesca McGhie’s hands on the wide outside. Then the increasingly common TMO intervention: on review that last pass proved forward.
So the one-score margin was restored, and Scotland know all about last-minute defeats. They did well to win a turnover inside their 22, then proceeded upfield. A line-out turned into a less-than- impressive rolling maul, but suddenly the ball was out to Lisa Thomson who found the White and Pale Green Sea parting in front of her. She was in, under the posts. 31-17
Relief and renewed confidence in the ranks: a two-score margin restored. To show their positive qualities, when offered a penalty after 80 minutes, the Scots opted to play on, but nothing more accrued.
Result: Scotland 31 South Africa 17
Teams
Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Mairi McDonald, 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain), 7 Rachel McLachlan, 8 Evie Gallagher
Bench: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Anne Young, 18 Lisa Cockburn, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Jade Konkel, 21 Caity Mattinson, 22 Meryl Smith, 23 Liz Musgrove
South Africa: 15 Chuma Qawe, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Veroeshka Grain, 12 Piwokuhle Nyanda, 11 Shaunique Hess, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 4 Vainah Ubisi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 6 Lusanda Dumke, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 8 Aseza Hele
Bench: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Amber Schonert, 19 Nolusindiso Booi, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Micke Gunter, 22 Rumandi Pogieter, 23 Mary Zulu
Officials:
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) and Holly Wood (RFU) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Afterthoughts
A bigger crowd turned up in Stellenbosch than for the first game, but it was still disappointing. So was the choice of a pitch retaining strong traces of a centre circle.
The Boks had to make do without some 7s stars, who were disporting themselves elsewhere. In the long run that is the positive approach, but it was out behind where the Scots outclassed their opponents. That is not to overlook a rare achievement up front: four tries from rolling mauls.
Sarah Bonar was a late cry-off for the Scots. Eva Donaldson slipped into the No 19 shirt as Louise McMillan was promoted from the bench.
