It seems the loss to Japan was just a blip for the Springboks, after all.
South Africa continued its recovery from the most stunning result in Rugby World Cup history by beating Scotland 34-16 on Saturday, backing up a 40-point win over Samoa last week to go top of Pool B. Qualification in first place looks likely now for the two-time champions, who play the United States in their last pool match on Wednesday.
"After the Japan game, the guys have been standing by each other and getting back to basics," stand-in South Africa captain Fourie du Preez said. "It's been immense pressure, two of the most pressure games I've ever played. Not even the 2007 final was as much pressure."
There were no frills to the Springboks' play against Scotland as they reverted to tactics that have served them so well down the years — kick for territory and use their powerful pack to batter holes in the opposition defence. Those tactics created all three of their tries.
The South African forwards dominated up front at St. James' Park, setting up first-half tries for flanker Schalk Burger and winger JP Pietersen, and a late third for Bryan Habana — his 61st in tests.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard booted 19 points, missing just one of his seven kicks at goal.
Scotland dropped to second place in the group, a point behind South Africa, and may need to beat Samoa next weekend to advance ahead of Japan.
The Scots spent much of the build-up to the game fending off accusations that they picked a weakened team to save some of their top players for a more winnable match against Samoa. There was a vast difference between the teams in terms of physicality, with the Springboks forwards overshadowing their counterparts.
"We were dominated in that contact area," Scotland coach Vern Cotter said, "and we didn't move forward."
Burger barged over from close range in the 13th minute, eventually grounding the ball after being held up over the line by two pairs of Scottish arms. And Pietersen found himself in plenty of space to collect captain Du Preez's short pass and make an almost unchallenged five-meter run to the line in the 38th after a rolling maul from a lineout scattered Scotland defenders.
In between the converted tries, Pollard kicked two penalties to help forge a 20-3 lead at halftime. Pietersen's try came while prop Jannie du Plessis was in the sin-bin for not tackling with his arms.
Scotland threatened a comeback when a penalty from captain Greig Laidlaw was quickly followed by the 49th-minute try from winger Tommy Seymour, from an almost length-of-the-field counterattack sparked by Duncan Weir's interception of Pollard's pass. Weir was caught inside the Springboks' 22 but got his pass away to Tim Visser, who found Seymour on his shoulder.
South Africa responded with a dropped goal and long-range penalty from Pollard while Laidlaw was in the sin-bin, and added another penalty for 29-16.
Habana completed the win, running onto Du Preez's pass and forcing his way over in the left corner.
"We've gone back to basic rugby — keep it tight, keep it physical," South Africa lock Lood de Jager said. "It worked well."
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