Scotland take down Springboks

Scotland captain Rory Lawson praises his side's team spirit after a 21-17 victory over world champions South Africa at Murrayfield.

Scotland captain Rory Lawson last night praised his side's team spirit after a 21-17 victory over world champions South Africa at Murrayfield.

Fly-half Dan Parks kicked six penalties and a drop goal as Scotland bounced back from last week's 49-3 loss to New Zealand.

But Lawson praised the whole team after they adapted better to the conditions which were made difficult by rain.

Lawson told BBC1: "Those conditions were really brutal.

"It was all about field position and we got the upper hand on that. It was all about being together and working hard for each other."

Man of the match John Barclay added: "I think after last week we were so bitterly disappointed.

"This is a step in the right direction. The belief is so strong. We knew if we could play to our abilities we could win these games."

Morne Steyn kicked four penalties and Willem Alberts crashed over for a try for South Africa but the visitors came up just short.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson said: "What a difference a week makes. They're tough conditions to play in.

"Some people say they are Scottish conditions. I think the guys handled it very well.

England backed up their win over Australia last week with a 26-13 victory over Samoa, but needed second-half tries by Matt Banahan and Tom Croft to see off the islanders.

Martin Johnson's side lacked a cutting edge and they went in at the break with only a 6-3 lead.

But the hosts pulled clear and two tries by Banahan and one from Croft saw them home. Samoa scored two tries in the second half but were well beaten.

"We ground our way to the win," Johnson said. "We could have broken them earlier with a couple of tries but we didn't.

"I said to the lads: 'That's a good win. That's Test-match rugby. You don't get it all easy.'"

Elsewhere, Australia beat Italy 32-14 in Florence.

In Dublin, Ireland went down 38-18 to New Zealand.