Summary

  • Opening WXV match for Scots

  1. Ta-rapublished at 17:49 BST 13 October 2023

    FT: Scotland 31-17 South Africa

    That's all from me on live text duties today, as Scotland open their WXV2 campaign with a five-try win.

    Thanks for your company, now go enjoy your weekend!

  2. 'Really proud' - Eassonpublished at 17:38 BST 13 October 2023

    FT: Scotland 31-17 South Africa

    Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has also been talking to World Rugby:

    "I'm really proud," he said. "We put in a good, tough performance. We stuck to task, showed good discipline, good composure.

    "Our maul looked excellent and put them under a lot of pressure.

    "We'll have tomorrow off, review properly, take the learnings and go into USA nicely prepared."

  3. 'It was a real battle' - Malcolmpublished at 17:35 BST 13 October 2023

    FT: Scotland 31-17 South Africa

    Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm has also been talking post-match: "That was incredibly tough," she said, talking to World Rugby.

    "We knew the first half in particular was going to be a real battle, and it was.

    "That was one of the closest matches we've played against them and they've come a real long way. I'm super proud of the girls for the way we stuck in and got the result. Now we've got to push on.

    "We've got players coming on off the bench that are making a massive difference. We had to weather the storm at various points and that comes from the match experience we've had in the last five years."

  4. 'Loving being here' - Skeldonpublished at 17:32 BST 13 October 2023

    FT: Scotland 31-17 South Africa

    Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon has been named Player of the Match after an impressive all-round performance:

    "It was a really physical match, but we stuck in for the full 80 and I managed to steal a couple of tries, which is a bonus," she said, speaking to World Rugby.

    "Credit to South Africa - they really brought it to us, but we managed to play for the full 80, which is what we were looking to do.

    "Training has been good, off-time has been good, so I'm loving being here."

  5. Full-timepublished at 81 mins

    Scotland 31-17 South Africa

    The ball goes to ground, and Scotland open their WXV2 campaign with an impressive win over hosts South Africa.

    Evie Gallagher, Lana Skeldon (2), Leah Bartlett and Lisa Thomson were the five try-scorers for Bryan Easson's side.

    Scotland celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  6. converted try

    Converted try Scotland 31-17 South Africapublished at 77 mins

    Lisa Thomson

    Yes they can! And this one will count.

    Lisa Thomson takes the ball at first receiver, blasts through the tackle of Libbie Janse van Rensburg, and races away to score under the posts.

    Meryl Smith splits the posts off the tee, and that should wrap up victory for Scotland.

  7. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Scotland 24-17 South Africa

    Scotland now win a penalty that Meryl Smith kicks into South Africa's 22.

    Can they kill this game off?

  8. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Scotland 24-17 South Africa

    Excellent defensive work from the Scottish pack, as they halt the Springboks' maul and win possession back.

    A big momentum swing.

  9. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Scotland 24-17 South Africa

    All the decisions are going against Scotland at the moment.

    Lisa Thomson clears miles downfield, but is adjudged to have taken the ball back into her own 22, so South Africa will have a line-out in a promising position.

    Scotland have to ride this out.

  10. Disallowed trypublished at 68 mins

    Scotland 24-17 South Africa

    Oh wait, they've called it back for a forward pass.

    Emma Orr is the player penalised in that final phase of play, but it looks a pretty tight call to me on replay.

    That's a shame - it was such a good move.

  11. try

    Try Scotland 29-17 South Africapublished at 67 mins

    Francesca McGhie

    What a reply from Scotland - a brilliant team try!

    It's all about Meryl Smith to start with, as the replacement fly-half drops a shoulder and races away from several would-be tacklers.

    Scotland then recycle well, and go wide. Emma Orr draws the last defender, and finds McGhie to score in the corner.

  12. try

    Try Scotland 24-15 South Africapublished at 63 mins

    Lindelwa Botes

    South Africa close the gap.

    The Springboks line-out has been shaky today, but it clicks into gear here, and Lindelwa Botes goes over after a strong drive.

    Libbie Janse van Rensburg knocks over the conversion, and suddenly the hosts are right back in the contest.

  13. Postpublished at 62 mins

    Scotland 24-10 South Africa

    South Africa aren't going to let Scotland have it all their own way.

    The hosts make their way into Scotland's 22, and win a penalty when Leah Bartlett goes off her feet at the ruck.

    Libbie Janse van Rensburg kicks to the corner, looking to replicate Scotland's success from the maul.

  14. Postpublished at 59 mins

    Scotland 24-10 South Africa

    Meryl Smith has been hugely impressive since coming on, and full of confidence, she opts to run it from her own 22.

    A step and a dummy see her break the line, before spreading the play to Chloe Rollie.

    Scotland's full-back makes it over half-way, but is then smashed backwards by Libbie Janse van Rensburg.

    I initially thought that was a high shot, but Janse van Rensburg judged it perfectly.

  15. converted try

    Converted try Scotland 24-10 South Africapublished at 56 mins

    Leah Bartlett

    The maul does the trick again for Scotland!

    South Africa have no answers to it whatsoever, and Leah Bartlett goes over for the bonus-point try.

    Meryl Smith then belts over a superb conversion from the touchline, and the lead is stretched out to 14.

  16. Postpublished at 56 mins

    Scotland 17-10 South Africa

    Scotland can't quite force their way over for a fourth try and a bonus point, but they earn a penalty, which Meryl Smith kicks to the corner...

  17. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Scotland 17-10 South Africa

    Excellent from Fran McGhie, who has seen plenty of the ball in the second half.

    She drops a shoulder, leaves a couple of defenders for dead and takes Scotland into the Springboks 22.

  18. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Scotland 17-10 South Africa

    A few changes for Scotland.

    Jade Konkel-Roberts, Caity Mattinson and Meryl Smith are all on.

  19. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Scotland 17-10 South Africa

    South Africa are having a little spell of possession here, but it all feels a wee bit unstructured.

    An infringement at the breakdown gifts them a penalty though, but Libbie Janse van Rensburg misses touch, and Scotland get away with one.

  20. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Scotland 17-10 South Africa

    Scotland have started the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot.

    Some lovely hands in midfield release Fran McGhie down the left-hand side, but she is bundled into touch just outside the Springboks 22.