South Africa v Scotland LIVE: Rugby World Cup build-up plus Japan ...
The reigning champion Springboks are currently ranked No 2 in the world but Gregor Townsend’s Scotland are eyeing an upset
Scotland take on South Africa in their first game at the Rugby World Cup
(Getty Images)
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South Africa go into the Rugby World Cup as title holders, and fresh off the back of a 30-point victory over New Zealand on the eve of the tournament.
While Ireland are the world number one, South Africa will be looking for back-to-back trophies after they beat England in the final four years ago in Japan.
History does not fall in Scotland’s favour either, the teams have played 28 times since 1906, but Scotland have won just four matches since that first tour. The teams have met twice in Rugby World Cups, with the Springboks winning both, in 1999 and 2015.
If history takes its course again, Scotland may focus on records closer to home, with both Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe looking to close down Stuart Hogg’s record of 27 tries.
Follow live score updates, analysis and reaction from the Stade de Marseille below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here and the latest Scotland vs South Africa tips here:
Johnny Sexton would not be the player he is without his spiky side and that was on show along with his brilliance in the Ireland captain’s first appearance in six months.
A groin injury followed by a suspension for his conduct towards match officials has kept Sexton on the sidelines since leading Ireland to grand slam glory against England in Dublin in March.
A gentle 82-8 tune-up against an overmatched Romania in the searing heat of Bordeaux was just what the doctor ordered to ease Sexton back, although as so often with the fly half, the actual doctor was also briefly required. Right on the stroke of half-time, Sexton was put away by Bundee Aki for a lazy stroll under the posts. The issue was that he took that invitation a little too literally, taking so long that Romania centre Jason Tomane sprinted back to try to tackle him before he dotted down.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 14:00
Can Scots handle the heat?
With France sizzling amid a late-summer heatwave, both sides have had to contend with scorching temperatures throughout their first week at their respective bases on the Cote d’Azur, with the Scots in Nice and the Springboks along the sunkissed coast at Toulon.
The two teams will now come together in the melting pot of Marseille, where it is expected to be in the mid-20s come kick-off at 5.45pm local time.
Scotland will hope the two previous stints they spent in Nice earlier this summer will stand them in good stead, although coach John Dalziel said earlier this week that it feels hotter now, in early September, than it did when they were here previously in June and August.
A French journalist in the media room in Marseille commented on Friday that “it is too hot to play rugby”, although the implementation of water breaks is sure to be welcomed by all involved.
The Scots’ fitness – something they have prided themselves on this summer – is sure to be tested to the limit.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 13:45
Well, consider me stunned! Martin Sigren’s sin-binning wasn’t upgraded to red by the TMO Bunker Review - I imagine England’s star lawyer Richard Smith KC will have made a note of that ahead of defending Tomy Curry in a disciplinary hearing this week...
Japan were then down to 14 men for 10 minutes with Dylan Riley sin-binned and after a crazy few phases Alfonso Escobar dived his way over the line from close range to narrow the gap to 21-12. However, Japan steadied the ship and veteran flanker Michael Leitch powered over to extend the lead to 28-12. Just over 20 minutes to go in Toulouse.
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker10 September 2023 13:36
20 minutes or so left to play in this clash between Japan and Chile. Michael Leitch (53 mins) went over the line after Masirewa is initially denied.
Japan secure a bonus point for scoring four tries and Rikiya Matsuda adds two more with the simple conversion.
Japan lead 28-12.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 13:34
Style war – power vs panache
Along with France and New Zealand, Scotland have become one of the most swashbuckling attacking teams on the planet, while South Africa are the most powerful.
The brutish Springboks will attempt to bulldoze their opponents out of their rhythm, while the Scots – with the on-form Finn Russell pulling the strings at stand-off – are intent on outrunning and outplaying the formidable world champions. It promises to be an intriguing clash of styles.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 13:30
Scots must defy history and break new ground
Scotland have never previously defeated a tier-one nation at a Rugby World Cup. In addition, they have lost each of their last seven meetings with South Africa.
It is 13 years since the Scots last beat the Springboks as Dan Parks kicked every point for Andy Robinson’s team in a 21-17 victory in an autumn Test at Murrayfield in November 2010. The last clash between these two nations was almost two years ago, when South Africa won 30-15 in Edinburgh.
The Scots have beaten the Springboks only five times in 28 attempts over more than a century, but Gregor Townsend’s side have ended long winless streaks in recent years, most notably away to France and England.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 13:15
Half-time in Toulouse and Japan have started to show their class. On 30 minutes, Jone Naikabula went over and right on the stroke of half-time, Amato Fakatava grabbed his second try of the game.
It’s 21-7 to Japan at the break and Chile have Martin Sigren in the sin-bin. His yellow card is under bunker review after a very similar incident to Tom Curry’s for England against Argentina last night. I’d be stunned if it wasn’t upgraded to red during the half-time break.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Luke Baker10 September 2023 13:11
Both teams in buoyant mood
The two sides kick off the World Cup with every right to be optimistic about their chances.
South Africa have climbed from fourth to second in the world rankings in the weeks leading up to the tournament on the back of four consecutive wins. Their emphatic destructions of Wales and New Zealand last month were particularly impressive, ensuring they begin their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup as one of the favourites.
Scotland go into the tournament with words of lofty praise from John Jeffrey ringing in their ears after the 1990 Grand Slam hero branded them the best Scottish team ever at their World Cup welcome ceremony in Nice on Monday.
The Scots are ranked fifth in the world and have arrived in France with a genuine belief that they can beat any team in the world. One of these sides is set to have their bubble burst on weekend one.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 13:00
Box-office starter to top-heavy group
Beyond the opening game between France and New Zealand on Friday, the Scots’ showdown with the Springboks is the most eye-catching of the first round of pool fixtures. Indeed, Sunday’s match in Marseille is for higher stakes than the opening game in Paris given the strength of Pool B and the reduced margin for error.
The fact the draw was made back in 2020, when several teams were in notably different shape to what they are now, has led to a situation whereby three of the current top five in the world are in the same group. One of South Africa, Ireland or Scotland is guaranteed to be eliminated at the group stage.
Each of the head-to-heads between those three teams are sure to be crucial in deciding who qualifies, assuming they all make light work of both Tonga and Romania. Victory for either team at Stade Velodrome will stand them in good stead to progress from this heavyweight section.
Mike Jones10 September 2023 12:45
It’s been a fun start to proceedings in Toulouse where Chile are playing their first-ever Rugby World Cup match.
In fact, the South Americans took the lead when Rodrigo Fernandez collected a loose ball and bundled over the whitewash after just six minutes. Japan hit back immediately however as Amato Fakatava burst through for the try to level things up at 7-7. That’s how it remains midway through the first half.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker10 September 2023 12:31
