The Springboks beat Scotland 42-28 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, securing their second Nations Championship victory after a fiercely contested Test in Gauteng. South Africa scored six tries but were forced to withstand repeated Scottish fightbacks before Jesse Kriel’s late score settled the result.
The teams went into half-time level at 14-14 before the Springboks pulled away during a decisive second-half period. Scotland reduced the gap to seven points late in the match, but Kriel’s 78th-minute try ended the visitors’ hopes of a first Test victory on South African soil.
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Springboks strike first at Loftus
South Africa opened the scoring through scrumhalf Embrose Papier in the 17th minute.
Papier found space around the breakdown and broke through the Scottish defence to score, with Handré Pollard adding the conversion.
Evan Roos followed with South Africa’s second try two minutes later as the Springboks used their forwards to apply pressure close to the Scottish line.
The early 14-0 advantage suggested the hosts were taking control, but Scotland responded.
Kyle Rowe and Matt Fagerson helped the visitors fight their way back into the match as Scotland exploited gaps in the South African defence.
By half-time, the scores were level at 14-14.
Scotland force the Boks into a second-half battle
The second half brought another complication for South Africa when Ben-Jason Dixon was shown a yellow card following a TMO review of a ruck clearout.
Despite playing temporarily with 14 men, the Springboks remained in the contest.
South Africa eventually regained the lead through Elrigh Louw before Damian Willemse completed another attacking move to extend the advantage.
The Springbok forwards continued to pressure Scotland at the set piece, with Zach Porthen adding another try as the hosts moved 35-14 ahead.
South Africa’s physicality and scrum pressure became increasingly influential as the second half progressed. However, Scotland refused to allow the match to drift away.
Scotland fight back to set up tense finish
Josh Bayliss broke through the South African defence to score Scotland’s third try before Ben White added another.
White’s score reduced the deficit to 35-28 and left the Springboks defending a seven-point lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Scotland continued to attack and briefly threatened to draw level.
A cross-field kick created another opportunity for the visitors, while Sione Tuipulotu also broke through the South African defensive line during the closing stages.
The Springboks survived the pressure before turning a late penalty advantage into the match-winning score.
Pollard sent a grubber kick through the Scottish defence and Kriel gathered the ball near halfway. The centre beat the remaining defenders and raced clear to score under the posts in the 78th minute.
The converted try took South Africa to 42-28 and secured the result.
Rassie Erasmus’ changed Springbok side tested
The Pretoria Test came after Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the team that beat England 45-21 at Ellis Park a week earlier.
Only five players retained their places as Erasmus continued rotating his squad and giving more players Test experience ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Several changes were also influenced by injuries, with captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nché among the players affected. Pieter-Steph du Toit retained the captaincy for the Scotland match.
Papier made his first Springbok start since 2018 and marked his return to the starting line-up with the opening try.
The match also marked Erasmus’ 55th Test in charge of the Springboks, taking him past Jake White’s previous coaching record.
While South Africa’s scrum and attacking power helped secure the win, Scotland’s four tries exposed defensive areas that the Springbok coaching staff will assess before the next Test.
Gauteng hosts another major international rugby Test
The match was the second consecutive Springbok Nations Championship fixture staged in Gauteng.
South Africa opened their 2026 home season against England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg before travelling to Pretoria for the Scotland Test.
Loftus Versfeld again hosted a major international rugby crowd as the Springboks extended Scotland’s wait for a first Test victory in South Africa.
Scotland had lost all seven of their previous Tests in the country before Saturday’s match and had not played a Test in South Africa since 2014.
The 42-28 result maintained South Africa’s home record against the Scots.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The Springboks’ victory closes the Pretoria leg of South Africa’s July Nations Championship schedule and follows two major international rugby fixtures in Gauteng in consecutive weekends.
Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld hosted the opening two matches of the Springboks’ home season, placing Johannesburg and Pretoria at the centre of the early stages of the new competition.
Major Test matches also bring increased movement around stadium precincts, public transport systems, restaurants and hospitality businesses.
Gauteng will remain part of South Africa’s international rugby calendar later in 2026, with major Springbok fixtures scheduled to return to Johannesburg.
For the Springboks, the Scotland match also provided another opportunity to test squad depth after 10 changes were made to the starting side.
Springboks now turn attention to Wales
South Africa’s next Nations Championship match is against Wales in Durban on Saturday, 18 July.
The match will conclude the Springboks’ July home Tests in the competition.
Erasmus and his coaching staff will now assess the performance of the changed team used against Scotland, particularly after the visitors scored four tries and remained within seven points of South Africa late in the match.
The Springboks nevertheless leave Pretoria with two Nations Championship wins from two following victories over England and Scotland.
FAQ: Springboks vs Scotland at Loftus Versfeld
What was the final score between South Africa and Scotland?
The Springboks beat Scotland 42-28 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 11 July 2026.
How many tries did the Springboks score?
South Africa scored six tries in the match.
What was the half-time score?
The teams were level at 14-14 at half-time.
Who scored the late try that sealed the Springbok victory?
Jesse Kriel scored in the 78th minute after collecting a Handré Pollard grubber kick and breaking clear.
Who do the Springboks play next?
South Africa will face Wales in Durban on 18 July 2026.
South Africa now moves into the final match of its July Nations Championship programme unbeaten after two rounds. The performance against Scotland, however, leaves the coaching staff with both a victory and defensive areas to review before the Springboks face Wales.
