Scotland take down Springboks



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.

Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

Klopp at the Kop

Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82

  • Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
  • Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
  • Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
  • Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
Emirates exiles

Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.

Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.

Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.

Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.


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