Scotland Player Ratings v South Africa

Scotland Player Ratings v South Africa

Scotland were unable to hold on to a narrow half-time lead at Murrayfield as they lost 30-15 to South Africa on Saturday.

Here is how we rated Gregor Townsend's charges.


15. Stuart Hogg - 7

 
An early knock-on from a Willie Le Roux kick did not discourage the Scotland captain who finished two tries off superbly to go level as Scotland's all-time try scorer. 
 
 
 


 
 
14. Rufus McLean - 5
 
 
Simply outplayed by Makazole Mapimpi. He was caught out for the Springboks' first try and was put under pressure regularly by his opposite winger. A quiet game overall. 
 
 
 
13. Chris Harris - 6
 
 
Some quality reads on defence, which is a real strength in his game, and did well to link up with his speedsters when given the opportunity. 
 
 
 
12. Matt Scott - 4
 
 
Out muscled and outplayed by Damian de Allende. He struggled to keep the Springbok centre quiet as he gained metres with just about every carry. He helped set up one of Hogg's tries but overall not an overly impressive performance. 
 
 
 
 
11. Duhan van der Merwe - 7
 
 
 
Made an excellent break from his own 22 which led to a penalty that opened the scoring. 
 
 
He was instrumental in both of Scotland's try with a great offload setting up Hogg for his second. 
 
 
 
 
10. Finn Russell - 6
 
 
 
Some flashes of brilliance including a nice cross-kick in the build-up to Hogg's first try but the Boks managed to mitigate his influence on the result. Left eight points out there from the tee. 
 
 
 
9. Ali Price - 6
 
 
Swift service with his passes and some sharp box kicks. A solid game without being brilliant. 
 
 
 
 
1. Pierre Schoeman - 5
 
 
Bettered at scrum time by his former clubmate Trevor Nyakane and it didn't get better once Vincent Koch came on. Good around the park but the scrimmage struggles impact his rating. 
 
 
 
2. Stuart McInally - 6
 
 
Mixed it up nicely against the Springbok pack while his set-piece work was solid enough.
 
 
 
3. Zander Fagerson - 4
 
 
Like Schoeman, Fagerson struggled at scrum time with Ox Nche and Steven Kitshoff getting the better of him. Quiet around the park.
 
 
 
4. Sam Skinner - 6
 
 
A workmanlike performance with eight tackles. He won a crucial lineout off the Springboks in the first half too. 
 
 
 
 
5. Grant Gilchrist - 6
 
 
A combative and busy performance as he got stuck into just about everything. 
 
 
6. Nick Haining - 6
 
 
Some hefty carries into the heart of the Springbok defence as he generated some go-forward ball for the Scots. He got shrugged off by Etzebeth in defence but was strong throughout. 
 
 
 
7. Jamie Ritchie - 7
 
 
Ritchie was superb over the ball as he got Scotland out of trouble in their own 22 and gave his side scoring opportunities.
 
 
A ferocious shift as he piled into the breakdowns but was guilty of a few penalties, which comes with the territory.  
 
 
 
8. Matt Fagerson - 6.5
 
 
A busy shift on either side of the balls only Ritchie (13) made more tackles than him (10). He made good metres with his carries too. 
 

Replacements: 
 
16. Ewan Ashman - 5
 
 
Got the final 20 minutes against the Boks. A quiet cameo as the South Africans gained the upper hand.
 
 
 
17. Jamie Bhatti - 5
 
 
He wasn't able to shift the momentum at scrum time. 
 
 
18. Oli Kebble - 5
 
Got just 12 minutes off the bench. Made two tackles and two carries. 
 
 
 
 
19. Jamie Hodgson - n/a
 
On in the final 10 minutes, not enough time for a fair rating. 
 
 
20. Hamish Watson - 6
 
A combative 30 minute cameo but he was not at his best.
 
 
21. George Horne - n/a
 
Got just 10 minutes in place of Price. The Springboks dominated possession in the latter stages making it difficult to give a fair rating. 
 
 
 
22. Adam Hastings - n/a
 
 
In the same boat as Horne.
 
 
 
23. Blair Kinghorn - 5
 
 
A quiet 29-minute cameo. 

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