It ended in Pretoria with Scotland losing 35-14 to the world champions. The Test was brutal, yet Scotland delivered a dramatic 12‑minute surge that brought them within seven. The crowd witnessed a mixture of brilliance and frustration as the Scots fought back from a 21‑0 deficit.

The highlight was Ben White’s try, the 10‑player move that lasted 1:50 and involved 12 touches. Gregor Hiddleston had five ball‑in‑hand moments and Max Williamson carried three heavy loads. Tom Jordan’s late kick‑pass to Kyle Steyn was a missed chance.

Scotland’s line‑out collapsed after Ben‑Jason Dixon’s yellow card. A series of penalties gave Damian Willemse space to hit 21‑14, then Elrigh Louw added another to 28‑14. South Africa capitalised on 21 points in eight minutes, while Scotland’s 14‑point burst came in two minutes.

With South Africa fielding a second‑string side, the loss feels sharper. The match shows Scotland’s attacking depth but also their defensive fragility. It leaves the team looking to win in the new Nations Championship, where a strong start could reverse the pattern of lost opportunities.