15. Stuart Hogg: 5
The four man cut-out pass with the game barely five minutes old was, if not poorly conceived, then certainly poorly executed. Somewhat over-excitable, the blatant dive on such a big stage was a desperate moment in all senses of the word. One excellent second-half break was again undone by a poor pass.
14. Tommy Seymour: 6.5
Willing as always, without ever getting enough of the ball to make an impact.
13. Richie Vernon: 5.5
Uninvolved in the first half, but for one decent run and one telegraphed pass into the waiting hands of Bryan Habana. Not helped by the uncomplimentary styles of Weir and Scott at 10 and 12.
12. Matt Scott: 5.5
Struggled without Russell to work the gaps he relies on. Also struggled as one of several victims of the Springbok’s sustained and inexplicably unpunished assault on the Scottish head in the tackle. Suffered concussion symptoms in the aftermath and is a doubt for Samoa.
11. Tim Visser: 6
Doesn’t relish the physical side of the game to the extent that you might expect from a man of considerable size. This made playing the Springboks difficult. Redeemed himself with his part in Seymour’s try and greater involvement in the 2nd half.
10. Duncan Weir: 6.5
You couldn’t fault the attitude. While his tactical kicking rarely found clear grass, and while he stands far too deep in attack, he dragged the Scots back into the game. His catch for the interception was worth re-watching in itself, and he showed real pace to set up Seymour. Kicked a timely penalty with Laidlaw off, and also enjoyed a sprightly cameo at 9.
9. Greig Laidlaw: 5
Not as good as he has been of late. Conceded one dull penalty in the first half and an unnecessary early tackle on Habana – the winger was never going to score – earned him a yellow in the second. Without proper protection, he was caught at the back of a ruck, eventually leading to South Africa’s second try, and a lack of variation engaged the forwards in a punishing struggle for little reward. Arguably his best moment was not reacting as Mtawarira unsportingly taunted him off the pitch.
1. Gordon Reid: 7.5
Struggled at times in the scrum, but his attitude more than made up for it. Some huge hits provided some resistance against endless waves of South African runners.
2. Fraser Brown: 7
Despite early line-outs going astray, Brown was, by virtue of his greater agility and intuition, one of the more impressive Scottish forwards, carrying more metres than any other.
3. W.P. Nel: 7
The scrum on the tight-head side went reasonably well in comparison with the often one-sided phase play. Carried with renewed vigour in the 2nd half.
4. Richie Gray: 6.5
Produced an important line-out steal with Scotland on their own line in the first half, and otherwise a good performance in all respects.
5. Jonny Gray: 6
Normally so effective but the lack of collective resistance to the South African maul was often embarrassing. Couldn’t offer much in contact against the irrepressible South African second row but his usual impeccable workrate.
6. Josh Strauss: 6
Determined carries, but often the ball coming back was too slow. Head injury diminished his impact and was eventually substituted for Ryan Wilson.
7. Blair Cowan: 6
Was relatively effective at the breakdown and the led the tackle count with 21. While he lacks some of the qualities of John Hardie, he surely deserves a spot on the bench against Samoa ahead of other back-row options.
8. David Denton: 4
Failure to catch the kick-off after Scottish try was awful, and typical of the bone-headed streak which continues to afflict this Scotland side at the most unfortunate times. The error led to Pollard’s drop kick and restoration of the Springbok’s 10 point lead. Concession of another two blatant penalties gifted another six points.
Replacements: 5
Scotland benefitted when the game broke up in the second half. Pete Horne was lively, even if he was unable to make much ground. Ryan Wilson was also conspicuous as a back-row substitute for Strauss.
By Charlie King (@CharlescpKing)