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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Pool B clash between Scotland and South Africa!
Follow our man at the ground, Tristan Barclay (@tbarclayESPN), who'll be providing us with his first hand insights straight from Newcastle.
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Scotland in their blue kit and South Africa in their white.
...And we're off!
So far, it's been all Springboks. Habana tries the first cross field kick of the afternoon but is subsequently knocked into touch by his intended target down the left flank. Scotland lineout.
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First scrum of the afternoon just along half way, with Springboks to feed.
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They emerge from the scrum well and work the ball nicely down the left flank, advancing into the Scottish 22. Cotter's men still have 15 or so metres to their try line but they need to settle here, Springboks have come flying out the blocks.
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Scotland do manage to push their opponents back as far as half way, but it's still in the hands of South Africa. However, they do concede the first penalty of the game and Scotland opt to kick out for the lineout in their opponents 22.
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Not much results from the Scottish lineout besides a scrum, which Laidlaw will feed again.
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The roles have reversed and South Africa will now feed the scrum in same spot. Battle of the packs here.
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Fourie du Preez retrieves well from the back and offloads. Willie le Roux kicks long up field to relieve the mounting Scottish pressure. Finally, Cotter's men have seemed to settle after a shaky first couple of minutes...
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South Africa back on the attack, and Pietersen is very close to the first try down the right flank. The Springboks do however manage to work the ball back into the centre just under the sticks and we could have a try here... TMO!
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0 - 7 |
WE HAVE IT. TRY! There was some deliberation over whether or not they managed to touch the the ball down, with Richae Gray's hand in the way, but the referee gives it. South Africa take the lead with Schalk Burger taking the five points before Pollard adds the extras.
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South Africa lineout down their left flank again, which results in the rolling maul. Scotland struggling to keep it at bay and the men in white romp 10 metres forward. They're even given the penalty a few metres short of the Scottish 22 when it collapses... Pollard to take.
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0 - 10 |
Pollard - penalty goal
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He converts and we await the restart.
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Scotland lineout down their left flank, and they fumble it. We have the scrum now in the same spot with South Africa to feed.
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Le Roux is passed the ball and kicks up field from the scrum. Springboks pack looking strong here.
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Some back and forth kicking here. One side to another before Scotland kick it out along half way - poor kick from Hogg. Springboks lineout again, on their left flank.
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| 21 |
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In similar to what we've seen all game, their lineout results in the rolling maul. Another long kick down the left flank to gain some ground and play is brought back for the penalty after Scotland are penalised for obstruction. Kicked out for another South African lineout, but further into the Scottish territory.
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First stray South African stray set piece that as Scotland collect well from the lineout. Not long until the Springboks have possession again, though.
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Comical moment as Hogg's pass hits his teammates head but fortunately for Cotter's men they somehow retain possession... Not for long though, we're back to kicking it up field.
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South Africa continue to dominate the possession and impose the biggest threat, and it looked as if we were on the end of another try down the left flank but Bismarck du Plessis fails to see Habana down his left, decides to kick forward, but it's then cut out.
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0 - 13 |
We've got a South African penalty just in front of the up rights. Pollard to take and successfully converts.
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Scotland have the lineout down their left side and work the ball into the centre. Both sides are battling on half way and Scotland finally manage to get out their 22 for a change.
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Commentators curse there, just as Scotland start to put together a good move right to left, Habana gets involved and intercepts. However, he couldn't do much as the winger has a blue wall in front of him and it's out for touch.
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3 - 13 |
Scotland penalty now and Laidlaw's going for goal. Bit too close for comfort but he makes it. First Scottish points.
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South Africa continue to put some nice phases together, working it well from right to left. Some huge thumps going in and Scotland working very hard in defence here. They're rewarded for their efforts just outside the Scottish 22 with a penalty as the Springboks are penalised for diving in off their feet.
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Finally a bit of Scottish possession, but they're struggling to make this territory stick. Play continues just along half way.
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Jannie du Plessis has been sin binned for dangerous play. He came into the ruck and barged with his shoulder. He looks astonished as he walks off. They're down to 14 men for 10 minutes. Ref says: "You are not listening, maybe you will listen when you come back on."
Laidlaw goes for goal but his penalty kick is short.
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Scottish lineout, just beyond Jonny Gray but finds its way to Strauss. Scotland working the ball well down the line, right to left, just inside the South African half.
But, South Africa are back counter attacking after Habana steals from Laidlaw. The winger offloads and Vermeulen fumbles further up when he attempts to find the winger again. The Springboks have managed to escape their half, but you feel they should've made more of that opportunity. We're back in Scottish territory
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3 - 18 |
TRY! for South Africa!
JP Pietersen scores. Scotland couldn't not defend that maul, with Meyer's men marching it 15 metres or so. Scotland looked vulnerable earlier on with the maul and this time the Springboks make it pay down the right hand side. This try originated from Habana's steal off Laidlaw it must be said.
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3 - 20 |
Scotland are right back at it after conceding those points and have made good ground into South African area, as far forward as they have been.
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Laidlaw tries to spin his way into the 22 as Scotland continue to press down the right, but he was cut out.
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HALF TIME ANALYSIS
Here's what ESPN's Tristan Barclay (@tbarclayESPN) had to say:
"There have been moments in that first half where I feared both for the scoreboard and Scotland's personal safety. South Africa have been absolutely brutal, smashing the Scots in attack and defence. The likes of Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende have caused serious damage on the crash ball, with Scotland's Gray brothers in particular frantically trying to hold back the tide. The territory has been all Springbok, even when the southern hemisphere have been without the ball. The yellow card shown to Jannie du Plessis gave Scotland a sniff of hope, but the Springboks quickly snuffed that out with a JP Pietersen try on the stroke of half-time. This could turn into a rout."
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We're back! Scotland restart.
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Scotland's first lineout of the half just inside South Africa's half. Doesn't result in anything significant but the men in blue do manage to retain possession. They're working it well, and continue their offensive attempts down their left flank.
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Scotland awarded the penalty, some profit for their hard work, after South Africa fail to move away on the deck. Laidlaw territory, and if he makes the three, a good start for Scotland to this half.
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Oh, wait. They've turned down the chance for goal and have opted for the lineout down in the corner. They're desperate for maximum points!
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6 - 20 |
South Africa pummel Cotter's men to the floor, and despite Laidlaw looking to unload, some huge South African hits are keeping the Scottish at bay. However, Laidlaw has another chance for goal - closer this time - as they're awarded another penalty.
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South Africa push back Scotland from the restart, and Hogg has to clear long via his boot. A 'late' challenge on Hogg though sees the fullback clearly dive to the floor. Ref: "Dive like that again, come back here in two weeks and play again."
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South Africa's turn to tattack again here, and they're looking very goo....WAIT!
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11 - 20 |
SCOTLAND TRY!
What a great, great counter attacking try. Beautiful interception from Duncan Weir, burst 50 metres past several South African players but Pietersen was there to save the day... but he didn't. Great offload from Weir once he was taken down by Pietersen and Seymour eventually makes the try.
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13 - 20 |
Laidlaw - conversion
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13 - 23 |
Pollard makes a great drop kick from a fair distance out albeit fairly straight angle. Springbok forwards worked well to gain ground in Scottish territory and they'll be very happy to see those three points added to their score.
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LAIDAW SIN BIN!
Habana kicks forward twice and Laidlaw hacks him doubt in fear of a try down the Springboks left flank.
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Scotland look on for another similar try after a similar interception in their area, but Stuart Hogg's offload to his left to Seymour is deemed as forward.
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Scotland lineout down their right, and this time they try to replicate the South African's with their own rolling maul. Not as successful however, and they take the ball inside before they're hacked back to the deck by the men in white. Scotland's ball carriers moving parallel to the 22, rather than forward.
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South African scrum in their own half pays dividends and the carry the ball a good 20 metres thanks to the hands of Habana, however, Scotland do eventual grab hold of their advancing opponents. Back to play along the half way.
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Scottish penalty, which they'll look to kick for the lineout, after a deliberate JP Pietersen knock on.
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16 - 23 |
Weir - penalty goal
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Another Scottish penalty, which Weir makes. 3 points to Scotland!
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16 - 26 |
We've got a South African penalty now, very far out at half way and Pollard has made it. Fantastic kick - restoring the 10 point lead.
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Worrying sights as Hogg goes off with head in hands...
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Some scrappy play here, Scotland fluff the lineout before South Africa then throw out into touch themselves. Play's brought back for a penalty though and SA kick long and out for a lineout just into Scottish territory.
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Nice lineout from the Springboks, just what they were after as they make a few extra metres with a quick catch and offload. However, Scotland are continuing to tackle hard down their left flank in attempts to keep the approaching men in white at bay. They've done pretty well with it so far despite the two tries - they've worked very hard.
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We're now on the Scottish 22 and Pollard attempts the cross field kick which Pietersen fails to collect. Play's once again brought back for the South African penalty, central and about 25 metres out.
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16 - 29 |
Pollard makes and the camera cuts to Meyer who seems to be counting his sides lead on his fingers. Amusing.
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| 68 |
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Scotland - for all there hard work - just don't look enough here. They've been within a try of the Springboks score but just can't make anything stick. They've worked very hard but the sheer talent of the South African squad is starting to shine through.
Scotland penalty after a high tackle from Pietersen lifting Scotland's Swinson off the floor and not making sure he lands safely. Some would say that's an automatic yellow card, though.
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All Scotland again as Vern Cotter's side seek a breakthrough, but the Springboks are holding firm. Scotland trying to play a wider channel game but need to find quicker use of the ball if they're to make anything pay.
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South Africa pinch possession and now have their turn at attacking. They work it along their line, based on the half way, and are making some decent progress towards Scotland's try line.
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16 - 34 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
Habana made it. It did look like it was coming as South Africa manage to find their stride again. The finish didn't involve any brute force but all of the ball carry did. Scotland look tired which is no surprise given the vast amount of tackles they've made. Scotland have made 143 opposed to SA's 97.
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Pollard's first miss of the game as he fails to convert.
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| 75 |
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Scotland awarded their second scrum of the game here , just along the half way. Ref: "I'll be looking for those penalties."
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The scrum collapses and reawait the next one. Ref: "It's just the ground that has gone there, let's come out of it."
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Scotland penalty just shy of the half way, which Weir kicks long for the lineout. Great kick from Weir to find the corner it's worth pointing out.
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We've got another scrum deep in the South Africa 22 along their right flank, but this time it'll be SA's No.21 to feed. Scotland's last chance here for any extra points.
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We're still milling about with the scrum and we've entered the red zone...
... South Africa are made to work hard to escape their 22, but Habana commits to another little chip and run down the left but it eventually finds its way into touch. Full time is given! IT's OVER!
Full time analysis just moments away...
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FULL TIME ANALYSIS
Here's what ESPN's man at the ground Tristan Barclay had to say:
"I feared the second half could turn into a rout but Scotland came out from the break ready to make a fight of it. They were rewarded early on with a try made by stand-off Duncan Weir, who intercepted a loose pass from opposite number Handre Pollard to run the length of the field and send Tommy Seymour over on the offload. The match then broke down slightly, with the kickers left to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw was binned for a silly challenge on wing Bryan Habana, who had the last laugh as he crashed over for a late try. It wasn't a pretty end to the match for the Scots, but then it was always going to be a brutal afternoon against the mighty Springbok squad."
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