Rugby World Cup 2015: Greig Laidlaw aggrieved by Pietersen tackle

Laidlaw was disappointed Pietersen was not yellow-carded

Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw believes South African winger JP Pietersen ought to have been shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Tim Swinson.

Pietersen was penalised, but not sin-binned, by referee Nigel Owens as the Springboks comfortably won 34-16 in the World Cup Pool B clash.

"Looking at it at the time, I felt: how can that not be yellow?" said Laidlaw.

"That probably never cost us the game - it was our inaccuracies more than anything."

For the third match running, Scotland suffered a poor opening 40 minutes, ceding two tries and two penalties, and although they drew within a score of South Africa thanks to a brilliant Tommy Seymour breakaway, the monstrous Springboks would ultimately bludgeon them into submission.

Laidlaw himself saw the flash of Owens' yellow card for a professional foul on flying winger Bryan Habana.

Laidlaw felled Bryan Habana to earn himself a yellow card

"It was a physical game and I think we probably lost that battle, especially in the first half," said Laidlaw. "We were on the back foot and that sucks the life out of us.

"We just needed more good play and we could have caused them problems; that was maybe the most disappointing thing.

"We never played well in the first half, we got back in touching distance and I think we dropped the next kick-off and let them off the hook."

Scotland face Samoa next Saturday knowing a win will assure their passage into the quarter-finals.

Head coach Vern Cotter said: "We have seven days, which we haven't had up until now to look at the game.

"We haven't been able to train much - we've been basically in recovery mode between these first three games.

"So we'll be able to have a full week to set-up and prepare for our game. It's not points anymore, it's just a simple win or lose calculation to make."

Pivotal full-back Stuart Hogg was substituted in the second half after appearing to strain himself while making a clearing kick.

Cotter has still to obtain the official diagnosis but believes the Hawick man was suffering from cramp.

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