Argentina make a mess of the resulting scrum however, their front row heading nose first for the turf.

Penalty Scotland and, from the angle and with plenty of distance to make up, Stuart Hogg is going to have a pop.

Nope, well wide from the full-back's boot.

We're back. A soaring take from Tommy Bowe gets Ireland on the front foot and a Robbie Henshaw kick earns them an attacking line-out. Great start from Ireland to the second half.

Finn Russell's attempt at a sneaky low drop-out for Sean Maitland almost comes of, but the Scotland winger fails to gather.

Image source, @sergioparisse

There has been international rugby going on elsewhere in the northern hemisphere today.

Italy have recorded a 24-13 win over Samoa that was only slightly overshadowed by the discovery that Sergio Parisse owns some sort of special selfie-taking tripod.

Elsewhere Racing Metro winger Teddy Thomas has scored a hat-trick on debut with France 40-8 to the good in the last 10 minutes of their meeting with Fiji.

Tonga have beaten Georgia 23-9 in Tbilisi as well.

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland international on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"From a South African perspective they will note the progress they've made during the half and will want to kick on and dominate. Ireland's scramble defence has been fantastic but it will be hard for them to sustain it for another 40 minutes.

"There won't be too much panic in the South African dressing room. Ireland have a pretty callow team, a brand new centre partnership and some very inexperienced guys up front, yet they have played very well against what has been an all-conquering South Africa side."

Ireland

Pens: Sexton 2

South Africa

Pen: Pollard

Image source, Getty Images

We've had some spectacular tries and plenty of thrilling running rugby today, but this match is an altogether gamier dish, one packed with meaty, brutal defence and seasoned with handfuls of ferocity.

It may not be to everyone's taste but it is a compelling belly-filler of a match, the sort of game that leaves you in a coma on the sofa.

No quarter asked, none given. More gravy please, this is a proper Test match.

Scotland

Tries: R Gray (5), J Gray (22), Maitland (24)

Pens: Laidlaw. Cons: Laidlaw 3

Argentina

Tries: Desio (2)

Pens: Sanchez. Cons: Sanchez

Andy Nicol
Former Scotland scrum-half on BBC Two

Image source, PA

"Very good first half from Scotland.

"They've done the basics very well and after conceding a try so early, it's been a very, very satisfactory first 40 minutes."

Well, another 40 minutes of that and the Murrayfield turnstiles will be clicking a little more frequently next weekend.

Lots of enterprise and invention with Scotland playing at a relentless pace.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC Two

"You can see elements of Argentine indiscipline when they start dragging down mauls."

Ay, ay. Trouble up mill. Argentina's Tomas Lavanini has flown into a ruck, hard and late. Penalty to Scotland and Wayne Barnes could have been kenneling one of the visitors for that.

As it is he just awards the penalty. Greig Laidlaw cannot land the three points on offer though.

Image source, Getty Images

They've been word perfect in defence so far, but Ireland are penalised as Paul O'Connell goes off his feet at a ruck after Handre Pollard is swallowed up by the hosts, and the fly-half picks himself up to slot the penalty.

Fergus Critchley:, external Haven't seen this kind of rugby from Scotland in 10 minutes unless watching a highlights clip on YouTube!

Andrew Cotter
BBC Sport commentator

So the news from Murrayfield seems to be that Scotland are playing very well against Argentina. And it's scaring people.

Richie Gray's attempt to tackle his man slips up towards the Argentine's neck. As it tends to when you are six foot 10 or so.

Penalty says Wayne Barnes, while keeping his cards in his pocket. Nicolas Sanchez cannot exact any more punishment though. His kick hooks wide like a weekend hacker on the links.

The Ireland defence getting stuck in like it's the New Year sales.

Every South Africa attempt is met with a concerted fury that is sucking the life out of the big Bok ball carriers.

Graeme Donaldson:, external What is Vern Cotter doing? I much preferred it when we spent 75 minutes frustratingly trying to score. More attrition please

Neil Greening:, external Finally getting rid of the try scoring phobia. Well done Scotland!

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC Two

"Argentina have got to keep their discipline here.

"If they don't - I can really see Scotland building a big lead here."

Has it got the legs? It has! Up pop the flags.