Scotland edge Springboks in scrappy tie

Scotland 21 South Africa 17

Dan Parks kicked Scotland to victory in the second EMC Autumn Test at Murrayfield, ending South Africa’s hopes of a Grand Slam.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson was seeking a response from the 49-3 loss to New Zealand last weekend and he got it as the hosts edged a scrappy encounter laden with penalties and decided by the boot of Parks.

Scotland were without a win over South Africa since the 2002 Murrayfield meeting, but eight years on Parks, so often the hero in recent times, demonstrated his unerring accuracy, kicking six penalties and a drop goal to punish the Springboks’ indiscipline.

It was Scotland’s fourth win in five Tests and just a second victory over South Africa in 13 post-Apartheid meetings.

South Africa, the 2007 world champions, were less than convincing in winning 23-21 in Ireland and 29-25 in Wales, but were hoping to put a turbulent week behind them following the suspensions of Bjorn Basson and Chiliboy Ralepelle.

The pair tested positive for a banned stimulant, while a hand injury to Bryan Habana meant the trio would play no further part on the tour.

Scotland, too, were looking to recover after the seven-try demolition to the All Blacks broke confidence garnered by away successes in Ireland and Argentina.

A wet day in Edinburgh contributed to difficult conditions and the first half was scrappy.

The visitors had four attempts at goal in the opening 13 minutes, but missed two of them, earning Scotland reprieves.

Morne Steyn kicked a 30-metre penalty after three minutes, but missed one from 40 metres and centre Francois Steyn kicked wide from halfway before the fly-half added his second.

Parks halved the deficit with a straightforward kick at goal before Scotland, by far the more enterprising side in the first period, showed some ingenuity before drawing level.

A long lineout throw to Kelly Brown and a half-break by Sean Lamont in on off his wing allowed Parks to level the scoring with a 20th-minute drop goal.

Scotland were hoping to take advantage of a size mismatch between Lamont and Gio Aplon and the Springboks winger fumbled a high ball from Parks, earning Scotland a scrum 10 metres out.

Jannie du Plessis was penalised for pulling down the set-piece and Parks kicked Scotland ahead for the first time after 25 minutes.

South Africa continued to concede penalties, before Graeme Morrison burst through the midfield.

Parks tried an up-and-under from the resulting breakdown, but Zane Kirchner called a mark and cleared the danger momentarily.

But Scotland ran the ball back and the pressure soon told on the visitors, with Jean de Villiers offside in the three-quarter line. Parks kicked the resulting penalty to establish a 12-6 lead.

Scott MacLeod, making his first start in two years, was substituted after a heavy tackle resulted in a rib injury and Scotland had to reshuffle their pack.

Richie Vernon came into the back row and Nathan Hines returned to his usual second row position.

Richie Gray then was in an offside position, conceding a penalty and allowing Morne Steyn to reduce the deficit to three points.

Parks’ attempt at a stoppage-time drop goal to establish a six-point lead was halted by Jean de Villiers’ tackle and South Africa levelled early in the second period.

Vernon was adjudged to be offside and Morne Steyn kicked his fourth penalty.

Vernon soon made amends, picking up a poor Lawson pass and weaving his way through the Springboks defence.

The Glasgow Warriors number eight surged 40 metres before full-back Kirchner’s body check halted his progress.

Scotland recycled the ball and broke down the left, earning another penalty when Francois Steyn was ruled offside. Parks kicked Scotland ahead once more.

Kirchner knocked on a simple pick up, gifting Scotland the put in.

Pressure at the scrum saw Jannie du Plessis again struggle against Allan Jacobsen, South Africa conceding another penalty, much to the frustration of captain Victor Matfield.

Parks kicked his fifth successful penalty and was soon granted another opportunity as flanker Juan Smith was punished for bridging over the ball at the breakdown.

The Scotland fly-half made no mistake from directly in front of the posts to make it 21-12.

Scotland were soon protecting their line, but Jacobsen was penalised for pulling down a forward drive.

South Africa kicked to touch and from the resuling line out Willem Alberts found a gap and powered over from five metres.

Patrick Lambie missed the conversion, leaving the visitors with a four-point deficit in the remaining eight minutes.

But Scotland survived, achieving another memorable win and restoring confidence lost after the All Blacks maulling.