{"success":true,"data":{"id":"7b261a45-9fd5-476b-a237-e8356a3d1139","title":"South Africa v Scotland LIVE: Springboks edge past valiant Scots to win thrilling Nations Championship clash","summary":"Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Not now Yes please US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews World CupWorld Cup SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMon...","content":"## Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent\n\nNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.\n\nNot now Yes please\n\nUS Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\nLive updated\n\n6 minutes ago\n\n# South Africa v Scotland LIVE: Springboks edge past valiant Scots to win thrilling Nations Championship clash\n\n## **South Africa 42-28 Scotland:**The double reigning world champion Springboks were pushed all the way at Loftus Versfeld but dug deep to come out on top\n\n[Luke Baker](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/luke-baker)Saturday 11 July 2026 20:19 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n*   [Comments](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html#comments-area)Go to comments  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\n(Getty)\n\n[Scotland](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/scotland-rugby) produced another big performance against top-tier opposition but their wait for a first-ever win in [South Africa](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/south-africa-rugby)continues after they went down 42-28 to the double reigning world champions in a thrilling Nations Championship showdown in Pretoria.\n\nHaving seen off England, France and Argentina in impressive fashion already this year, [Gregor Townsend](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/gregor-townsend)’s resurgent side made the [Springboks](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/springboks) fight to the end for their victory.\n\nAfter roaring back from 14-0 down to level things up at half-time, the Scots were ultimately left to rue their inability to score while Ben-Jason Dixon was in the sin-bin early in the second half.\n\nThe Boks looked to have broken the visitors’ resolve when they ran in three tries in the space of 10 minutes either side of the hour mark but Scotland hit back again through [Josh Bayliss](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/josh-bayliss) and [Ben White](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/ben-white) to close to within a converted try of their hosts, who eventually made sure of a hard-fought victory with a late breakaway try from Jesse Kriel.\n\n**_Relive all the action from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:_**\n\n### South Africa vs Scotland LIVE\n\n*   [78' TRY! Kriel races in from halfway to finally seal a Springbok win [RSA 42-28 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html#post-2393908)\n*   [71' TRY! White stretches out to dot down for another try [RSA 35-28 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=2#post-2393899)\n*   [68' TRY! Bayliss bursts clear for a third Scotland try [RSA 35-21 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=2#post-2393897)\n*   [67' TRY! Porthen burrows over from a metre out [RSA 35-14 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=2#post-2393894)\n*   [61' TRY! Willemse finishes off move for surging South Africans [RSA 28-14 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=3#post-2393889)\n*   [58' TRY! Louw crashes over from close range to put Springboks back on top [RSA 21-14 SCO]](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=3#post-2393884)\n\n## Valiant Scotland give Springboks huge scare but fall just short in instant classic\n\nScotland produced another big performance against top-tier opposition but their wait for a first-ever win in South Africa continues after they went down 42-28 to the double reigning world champions in a thrilling Nations Championship showdown in Pretoria.\n\nHaving seen off England, France and Argentina in impressive fashion already this year, Gregor Townsend’s resurgent side made the Springboks fight to the end for their victory.\n\nThe Boks looked to have broken the visitors’ resolve when they ran in three tries in the space of 10 minutes either side of the hour mark.\n\nBut Scotland hit back again through Josh Bayliss and Ben White to close to within a converted try of their hosts, who eventually made sure of a hard-fought victory with a late breakaway try from Jesse Kriel.\n\n**Read the full report:**\n\nSouth Africa 42-28 Scotland: Gregor Townsend’s side pushed the double reigning world champions all the way but were unable to make history in Pretoria\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 20:19\n\n## Scotland 'need to be better for 80 minutes', says Townsend\n\nScotland coach Gregor Townsend has also spoken to ITV after the match and admits his side need to be better for a full 80 minutes to beat a side like the Springboks.\n\n“We’re really frustrated we didn't get more points on the board in the first half and that period when the Boks go down to 14 men,” said Townsend.\n\n“I’m massively proud of the effort we put in, but it wasn’t to be today. It's a learning for us, we’ve got to be better for 80 minutes.\n\n“There’s a lot more in us, and with the amount of opportunities the players created today through work skill and intelligence, we’ve got to take more to beat the world champions.\n\n“We don’t get to play South Africa very often, we don’t get to play them here, so that’ll be the feeling tonight. Today was another step forward.”\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 19:31\n\n## South Africa beat Scotland\n\nA remarkable Test match and an incredible win for the Springboks\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 19:15\n\n## Sione Tuipulotu reflects on defeat\n\nScotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has spoken to ITV after the defeat.\n\n“I’m disappointed to lose,” admitted Tuipulotu. “We were able to battle back but I thought the period after half-time hurt us a little bit. We had a lot of possession in their 22 and didn't capitalise.\n\n“But credit to them, they defended and scrambled well, like they always do. I'm very disappointed at the moment but I'm also proud of my group. I want us to keep our chins high.\n\n“I thought we came out here and play a positive brand of rugby, played our brand of rugby, but it wasn't good enough today.”\n\n**On how they can turn it around:**“Execution, I think. Execution when the pressure's high, when you're away from home. Little things like that.\n\n“Like I said, the period after half-time hurt a little bit but we managed to wrestle back momentum and get back into it but it wasn't enough. They showed a little bit better execution at the back-end of the game and got the result.\n\n“It’s been a lot of travel the past couple of weeks and we need to rest up tonight before travelling well tomorrow because it’s going to be another physical test next week [against Fiji].”\n\n(Getty)\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:57\n\n## WATCH: Springboks seal victory with Jesse Kriel try\n\nHere’s how South Africa sealed victory with Jesse Kriel’s late try\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:48\n\n## FULL-TIME! South Africa 42-28 Scotland\n\nWow! What a Test match. An instant classic\n\n(Getty)\n\n(Getty)\n\n(Getty)\n\n(Getty)\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:42\n\nThere goes the final whistle! Scotland players fall to the turf exhausted. They gave everything and caused South Africa fits.\n\nBut the Springboks showed their class and their depth of talent, as they made 10 changes and still won a ding-dong Test match.\n\nScotland are a legitimate force these days but the Boks are the best in the world and prove it every single week\n\n(Getty)\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:35\n\n## South Africa 42-28 Scotland, 79 mins\n\nWilliamson gets those long legs moving to thrust himself into the South African half. But Ben White spills the ball in contact.\n\nThat’s probably the end of the Scottish resistance but wow - what a game.\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:33\n\nScotland would love one final try to grab a losing bonus point that could be vital in this Nations Championship\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:31\n\n## TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 42-28 Scotland (Jesse Kriel, 78 mins)\n\nSouth Africa win a penalty so play with advantage. AND WHAT A TRY!\n\nPollard pokes a grubber kick through a gap, which **Jesse Kriel**collects just inside the Scotland half. He bounces off one tackle, swerves inside the last man and races clear to dot down under the posts.\n\nThey’ve been given an almighty scare but that should do it for the double reigning world champions\n\nLuke Baker 11 July 2026 18:30\n\n[](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html? \"First page\")[Newer](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=1 \"Previous page\")1/9[Older](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=2 \"Next page\")[](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html?page=9 \"Last page\")\n\n### More about\n\n## Join our commenting forum\n\nJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies\n\nPromoted stories\n\n[](https://event.mfadsrvr.com/click)[12 Things To Cut When Living On Retirement Comparisons.org | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:) Learn more](https://event.mfadsrvr.com/click \"12 Things To Cut When Living On Retirement\")","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/south-africa-scotland-live-score-result-springboks-nations-championship-b3010444.html","author":"Luke Baker","author_name":"Luke Baker","published_at":"2026-07-11T19:19:36.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-11T19:19:36.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/11/17/2285047853..","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":7,"word_count":1343,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot"}}