South Africa claimed an intense and thrilling victory over Scotland at a raucous Murrayfield, the 17-point margin at the end doing nothing to reflect what a tumultuous Test match it was.
The world champions were pushed hard by the ferocious Scots, who created - but did not take - multiple chances in a pivotal period during the second half.
Scotland were also forced to play 20 minutes of the opening half with 14 men when Scott Cummings was given a yellow card which was upgraded to a red. It looked a desperately harsh call.
Makazole Mapimpi scored two first-half tries for the Springboks, with Thomas du Toit adding a third and Jasper Wiese a late fourth.
Scotland, who were forced to play catch-up for most of the day, garnered all of their points from the boot of Finn Russell.
For chunks of the contest, the home side looked outstanding, but South Africa’s ability to fight their way to survival was astonishing.
The Springboks drew first blood and, given it was so early, it was a grim beginning for Scotland.
Playing penalty advantage off a five-metre line-out, Handre Pollard made them pay for a narrow defence with a precise crossfield kick to Mapimpi, who scored despite Tom Jordan’s efforts.
Things got worse for Scotland soon after when Cummings was done for dangerous play and was binned.
Another blow arrived with the news that it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card. Murrayfield was incredulous and furious.
Still, as the attrition rose, Scotland prospered, despite being a man down. Russell put over one penalty, then another and the 14-men led the world champions.
The Boks were not themselves, missing a couple of line-outs, dropping a couple of balls. The home crowd had things to get their teeth into - Ewan Ashman’s big hit on Eben Etzebeth chief among them.
Then, the horror show that was South Africa’s second try when Franco Mostert fumbled a close-range line-out ball to Du Toit, who thundered through the gap. Pollard converted and the visitors led again.
Max Williamson came on for Cummings at that point, the 20 minutes ending with a one-point win for the Boks which, in a sense, was a win for Scotland.
Russell’s sure boot narrowed the gap, but the Boks struck again almost immediately. Again it was a beautiful kick-pass from right to left, from Willie Le Roux this time. Again it was Mapimpi with the score.
Pollard’s conversion made it 19-9 to South Africa.
