Ten tries, multiple momentum swings and a final score that flattered neither side. That was the essence of Saturday's Nations Championship clash in Pretoria, where South Africa eventually overcame Scotland 42-28.
The contest at Loftus Versfeld was locked at 14-14 by the interval. What followed was a breathless second half in which Scotland refused to go quietly. They mounted two significant comebacks, responding each time the Springboks appeared to edge clear, yet the hosts always found another answer.
South Africa ran in six tries through Embrose Papier, Cameron Roos, Elrigh Louw, Damian Willemse, Zach Porthen and Jesse Kriel. Handre Pollard and Jordan Hendrikse handled the kicking duties with customary accuracy. For Scotland, four tries came from Zander Fagerson, Duhan van der Merwe, Rory Darge and Ben White, with Finn Russell adding the conversions.
The game carried the unmistakable flavour of top-tier Test rugby between northern and southern hemisphere sides. Scotland, steeped in the British Isles tradition, travelled to face the reigning double world champions ranked number one. That context lent the fixture its edge. Few expected a walkover; fewer still anticipated quite such an open, attacking spectacle.
Scotland showed real fight. Twice they clawed their way back into contention. The visitors' ability to score quickly after South African tries kept the outcome in doubt until the closing stages. Yet rugby at this level rewards precision as much as spirit, and small errors in execution proved costly.
We are frustrated but there is a lot more in us.
Those were the measured words of Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend afterwards. His captain Sione Tuipulotu struck a similar note.
