Summary

  • Libbok with two penalties after early miss; Russell halves deficit with last act of half

  • Du Toit bursts over for opening try early before Arendse capitalises on cross-kick

  • Reigning champions South Africa start with win

  • Scotland now face tough task to reach knock-outs

  1. G'nightpublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    That's all from me on live text duties today.

    You can read my colleague Thomas Duncan's match report here, and there will be plenty of reaction on our dedicated Scottish rugby page.

    Thanks for your company - go enjoy your roast dinners and the rest of your weekend, what's left of it.

    Finn Russell looks dejectedImage source, PA Media
  2. Accuracy let us down - Townsendpublished at 19:32 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-6 Scotland

    More from Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend:

    "Disappointed, really disappointed. We were slow to get going in the first half. There was inaccuracy in our game. But then we built into the game and we were more than up for the challenge of South Africa, the way they play.

    "We started to win penalties at scrum time, which was a real bonus. There were opportunities, not many, in our attacking game. And we talked about how second half we need to build on what we'd done in that second quarter.

    "But we started with inaccuracy, South Africa dominated possession for a period and took their points and it became difficult in those conditions against that defence to play from deep.

    "It became risky and we never got the accuracy to trouble them on the scoreboard."

  3. Townsend 'frustrated' by decisionspublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been asked directly about the Jesse Kriel tackle on Jack Dempsey which went unpunished.

    "I saw it about two screens away," he said. "It looked like a head-on-head collision and I was expecting the TMO to come in.

    "Who knows? [If it would have changed the game]. A red card last night didn't change the match too much in terms of Argentina.

    "We had a promising attacking position outside the 22 and the TMO came in for a body check [by Finn Russell]. I didn't know how that ended up being a penalty. So yes there are still inconsistencies. when there has been a head contact.

    "We're frustrated at that but we're more frustrated at our own performance."

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:25 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    We want to hear from you - what are your reflections on that game, and where do Scotland need to improve?

    Have your say HERE.

  5. Postpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    I think Siya Kolisi and the South Africa fans enjoyed that.

    Siya KolisiImage source, PA Media
    Siya KolisiImage source, PA Media
  6. Postpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

    Scotland were convinced that they could enforce their attacking game on South Africa, and they didn't. They got a rude awakening.

    Maybe we got carried away a little bit.

  7. South Africa streets aheadpublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    OptaImage source, Opta
  8. 'They pushed things a long way'published at 19:11 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber speaking to 5 Live after the game:

    "I think it could have been a slippery one. Scotland are a good side; they are not number five in the world for nothing.

    "They pushed things a long way in the game. I thought we had a little bit of dominance in the first-half but we had to grind the win out.

    "Rugby is not a very complicated sport. If you get a good platform from your forwards, they can create momentum that can create some space, and then you have some backs who can make some magic.

    "We could not build scoreboard pressure so we need to have a look at that and make sure we turn up with the right mentality against Romania."

    Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit wave to the South African fansImage source, Reuters
  9. Scotland left to rue inaccuracy - Townsendpublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    A disappointed Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells ITV: "We felt we'd kick on in the second half and we didn't.

    "A lot of that is down to our inaccuracy. We know we have to better. We didn't get into the flow of our game."

  10. As it standspublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Scotland have Tonga and Romania in their next two games.

    It might end up coming down to points difference, so not only do they need wins, they need big wins.

    TableImage source, BBC Sport
  11. 'We really took it to them physically' - Ritchiepublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game:

    "On the wrong side of the result. Credit to South Africa for putting us under pressure. Yes, we created opportunities, but we pride ourselves on taking those opportunities, so we have to be better.

    "I'm really proud how we fronted up physically. I thought our defence was excellent today, we really took it to them physically.

    "Plenty of time to dust ourselves off, all the hard work we have put in has not gone away, it is one set-back but we have loads to play for."

  12. 'No answer to the Bomb Squad'published at 18:55 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Bryan Habana
    Former South Africa winger on ITV

    The South Africa replacements had a massive impact. Scotland had no answer to the Bomb Squad.

  13. Scotland's faltering lineoutpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Scotland lost six of their own lineouts inside the South Africa 22.

    That's a pretty sobering stat, and goes some way to explain why Gregor Townsend's side were unable to implement their attacking game.

    Can't attack if you don't have the ball...

    Lineout shotImage source, Getty Images
  14. I'll take confidence from this - Libbokpublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Player-of the-match Manie Libbok is talking to ITV about that outrageous no-look kick for South Africa's second try.

    "I just want to thank my forwards for giving me the platform. I saw the space and knew what I wanted to do," he says rather modestly.

    "I'm so honoured to be able to represent my country. I'll take confidence from this and move on."

    Kurt-Lee Arendse of South Africa celebrates scoring his sides second try with team mates Faf de Klerk and Manie LibbokImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Libbok (10) produced the moment of the match to set up Kurt-Lee Arendse

  15. 'A poor day at the office'published at 18:47 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    FT: South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Johnnie Beattie
    Former Scotland back row on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There has been no platform, absolutely nothing at the set-piece.

    Scotland will look at that as a missed opportunity, especially the forward pack.

    They did not offer a platform at all to the back line and even when they did, it was scrappy ball. Against the blitz defence you are always working uphill - a poor day at the office.

    Jamie Ritchie looks dejectedImage source, PA Media
  16. Full-time South Africa 18-3 Scotlandpublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    That performance is a real statement of intent from South Africa.

    They have absolutely battered Scotland there, dominating the forward battle, and took their chances when they came.

    You wouldn't bet against them defending their crown.

    South Africa open with a comfortable victoryImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 81 mins

    South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    No they can't.

    Angus Gardner pings Scotland for something obscure, and that will be that.

  18. Postpublished at 80 mins

    South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Finn Russell kicks a penalty into the corner.

    Can Scotland at least finish on a high...

  19. Postpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 10 September 2023

    South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Unbelievable from Grant Williams, he has weaved in and out of the the Scotland team.

  20. Postpublished at 78 mins

    South Africa 18-3 Scotland

    Grant Williams has just almost scored one of the great World Cup tries.

    The replacement scrum-half takes possession in his own 22, bursts through the Scotland line, and shows electric pace to burst over halfway.

    He slaloms past a couple more challenges, but has his heels clipped by the fingertips of Finn Russell when he looks set to go clear.