Springboks Launch Rugby World Cup Title Defense with Gritty Victory Over Scotland
South Africa commenced their Rugby World Cup title defence with a tough and street-smart 18-3 triumph over Pool B competitors Scotland in Marseille on Sunday. The match didn’t feature much entertaining and open rugby. As both teams rolled up their sleeves in a physical battle that ultimately favoured the Springboks. Tries from Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse played a crucial role in securing the victory for South Africa.
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With Manie Libbok successfully converting two penalties and Faf de Klerk adding one conversion. Nevertheless, the game was not without controversy, particularly in the early stages. When centre Jesse Kriel made head-on-head contact with Scotland’s number eight, Jack Dempsey. Which went unpunished. South Africa kicked off their Rugby World Cup title defence with a gritty 18-3 win against their Pool B rivals, Scotland, in a hard-fought battle in Marseille on Sunday.
This wasn’t a match characterized by flowing, entertaining rugby. Instead, both teams dug in and engaged in a physical contest that ultimately favoured the Springboks. Crucial tries from Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse played a pivotal role in South Africa’s victory. With Manie Libbok contributing by successfully converting two penalties, and Faf de Klerk adding one conversion to the scoreline.
However, the game didn’t go without its share of controversy. Particularly early on when centre Jesse Kriel made a head-on-head contact with Scotland’s number eight, Jack Dempsey. Which surprisingly went unpunished. The loss now leaves Gregor Townsend’s team with zero room for error in their remaining three matches against Tonga, Romania, and Ireland if they intend to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Despite struggling to ignite their attacking game in Rugby World Cup
Both teams had entered the tournament with confidence following promising summer campaigns. Which had the Boks ranked second and the Scots fifth in the world. However, Ireland, the top-ranked team, is also in Pool B. The pressure was on both nations to kick off their campaigns with a victory. The Springboks started the match with more confidence.
An opportunity to put points on the board arose in the 11th minute when the Scots were penalized for collapsing the scrum. However, Manie Libbok’s penalty attempt from 40 meters went wide, leaving the scoreline unchanged. In contrast, the South African fly-half didn’t falter. When presented with another opportunity just two minutes later. Finn Russell had been penalized for a deliberate knock-on.
The Springbok fly-half confidently slotted the ball between the posts from a central position, 35 meters out, to put his team on the scoreboard. Tensions escalated on the sideline during the first half, just past the midway point. Following an incident where Damian de Allende was forcefully pushed into touch. Referee Angus Gardner, after reviewing.
The ensuing scuffle addressed four players involved but ultimately concluded that no additional disciplinary measures were warranted. Libbok extended the Springboks’ lead to six points shortly thereafter with another successful penalty kick. This time he penalised Sione Tuipulotu for failing to release the ball.
The South African lock, Eben Etzebeth, had to leave the field due to injury, with RG Snyman stepping in as his replacement. Despite struggling to ignite their attacking game. Scotland Rugby World Cup side managed to create a brilliant scoring opportunity. For more about For more about South Africa Rugby World Cup Tickets.
A Sustained Period Of Pressure In the RWC Game
However, Darcy Graham chose to go for the try himself, running into trouble. Even though his fellow wing, Duhan van der Merwe, was on the outside and in a prime position for a pass, seemingly having a clear path to the try line. Despite their struggle to assert their style of play against the Springboks, the Scots demonstrated resilience in facing the physical demands posed by their opponents.
They managed to narrow the deficit to just three points in the final moments of the first half. Finn Russell, who had earlier received treatment for a rib injury. Successfully converted a penalty kick from 45 meters right on the stroke of halftime. Just two minutes into the second half, Libbok attempted a long-range penalty kick from nearly 5 meters inside his half.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t muster enough distance, and the Scots were able to field the ball. South Africa rugby World Cup team managed to secure their first try of the match in the 47th minute. Pieter-Steph du Toit powered his way over the try line on the left side after a sustained period of pressure. However, Libbok was unable to convert the try, and the score remained unchanged.
Things took a turn for the worse for the Scots just four minutes later when Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a try in the right corner. This brilliant try was set up by a well-executed cross-field kick from Libbok that allowed Arendse to find space and touch down. Given that the fly-half had missed three of his five attempts at goal. To read more about Sexton Sparkles as Ireland Opens Rugby World Cup with 12-Try Rout of Romania.
Springbok defence and make a substantial Turnaround
Scrum-half De Klerk took over the kicking duties and successfully slotted the conversion between the posts. Scotland has developed a reputation for mounting impressive comebacks in recent times but on this occasion. They struggled to find a way past the resolute Springbok defence. The situation worsened for the Scots just four minutes later when Kurt-Lee Arendse managed to score a try in the right corner.
This brilliant try was orchestrated by an excellently executed cross-field kick from Libbok. Which provided Arendse with the opportunity to find space and touch down. Given that the fly-half had missed three of his five attempts at goal. Scrum-half De Klerk took over the kicking duties and adeptly converted the try, slotting the ball between the posts.
In recent times, Scotland has built a reputation for staging remarkable comebacks. However, in this match, they found it challenging to breach the steadfast Springbok defence and make a substantial turnaround.
Here are the team lineups for the match:
South Africa:
- 15 Damian Willemse
- 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 11 Cheslin Kolbe
- 10 Manie Libbok
- 9 Faf de Klerk
- 8 Jasper Wiese
- 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 6 Siya Kolisi (c)
- 5 Franco Mostert
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 3 Frans Malherbe
- 2 Malcolm Marx
- 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
- 16 Bongi Mbonambi
- 17 Ox Nche
- 18 Trevor Nyakane
- 19 RG Snyman
- 20 Marco van Staden
- 21 Duane Vermeulen
- 22 Grant Williams
- 23 Willie le Roux
SCOTLAND FRANCE RWC SQUAD:
- 15 Blair Kinghorn
- 14 Darcy Graham
- 13 Huw Jones
- 12 Sione Tuipulotu
- 11 Duhan van der Merwe
- 10 Finn Russell
- 9 Ben White
- 8 Jack Dempsey
- 7 Rory Darge
- 6 Jamie Ritchie (c)
- 5 Grant Gilchrist
- 4 Richie Gray
- 3 Zander Fagerson
- 2 George Turner
- 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements:
- 16 Dave Cherry
- 17 Jamie Bhatti
- 18 WP Nel
- 19 Scott Cummings
- 20 Matt Fagerson
- 21 Ali Price
- 22 Cameron Redpath
- 23 Ollie Smith
Match Officials:
- Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
- Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Jordan Way (Australia)
- TMO (Television Match Official): Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
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