Scotland were defeated by a clinical and imposing South African side in their Rugby World Cup opener.
Gregor Townsend's side went down to a 6-0 lead in the first half as the Springboks scored two penalties courtesy of Mannie Libbock as they raced into a well-deserved lead. The literal last kick of the first half saw Finn Russell send one through the uprights to half the deficit before the teams regruo[ed at the interval, with the score reading 6-3 in South Africa's favour.
Scotland a renowned for their mercurial attacking play but the game was all but over after the second half's first 10 minutes. Pieter-Steph du Toit powered over the line to score the game's first try and open up even more daylight between the sides.
Just three minutes later the second try was scored by the defending champions in stunning fashion. Mannie Libbock, who won player of the match, sent a no-look kick down the right-hand side to free Kurt-Lee Arendse, who barely broke stride to collect and run it in for more points. The conversion was easily dealt with too by the left-footed Far de Klerk.
There were glimpses of hope for Scotland but they were all too fleeting. South Africa's defence showed why it's so lauded as they constantly stopped the Scots' advance with relative ease.
We are truly in the Pool of Death with many observers ranking South Africa and Ireland the world's best two teams. There are still games to go in the tournament but when Scotland face Ireland on October 7 in the final game in the pool for the Scots, you reckon a win is a must now if their hopes of advancing are to stay alive.
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The Daily Record's Gordon Park, Stade Velodrome
A Pool B opener in the group of death delivered defeat for Gregor Townsend's side which trailed 6-3 at the break only for South Africa's heavy mob to arrive on the scene after the interval to bring a dark blue mini-revolt to a halt and inflict some serious damage on the scoreboard.
That call for reinforcements as a host of huge forwards waded into proceedings brought two tries in the space of four minutes to quell what had been a spirited and resolute show of defiance to a halt on another 'what might have been' occasion' for the dark blues amidst their minor disturbance.
Scotland can't say they weren't warned about what was about to come their way against the reigning champions and the search for a World Cup over a higher-ranked nation continues.
In truth, this tournament is now all about a group curtain closer on October 7 against Ireland, a likely win-or-bust occasion.
Townsend's reparations from a group stage exit at Japan 2019 has seen big scalps taken and a rejuvenation of a squad which contains genuine world-class talents, confidence also comes with consistency and records of shame have been demolished in the past four years since the Far East debacle.
FUL-TIME: South Africa 18-3 Scotland
Scotland fall to a defeat in their Rugby World Cup opener.
South Africa begin their title defence in pretty comfortable fashion after that second-half showing.
Russell denies
Prior to that Scotland attempt, Finn Russell just recovered in time to bring down the lightning-quick Cheslin Kolbie.
He was on course to score his side's third try if not for the tackle from Scotland's 10.
Fine margins
South Africa drop it after a slack pass following their own scrum and Scotland eye an opening.
The kick forward, from just inside the Springbok's half, doesn't stay in play though and Kinghorn can't reach it in time.
Fine margins and all that...
Almost over now...
Scotland lineout on the halfway line. Knocked on again.
It's petering out now and Scotland show no signs of breaking through for a late score, unfortunately.
Duhan can't dazzle
Van der Merwe gets a chance to charge forward against his native side but he's unable to advance as that South African defence, once again, makes it look easy to stop him.
Moments later another Scotland scrum collapses as WP Nel's knee hits the deck. No momentum for Townsend's side at all.
Just over 10 to go.
Russell shows glimpses of what he can do
Finn Russel delivers a perfect 50:22 and the side takes a quick lineout but it's too quick for the ref as Dracy Graham thinks, momentarily, that he's put a Scotland try on the board.
Once the game is restarted to the ref's liking the Scots keep the ball well but are forced out of the Springbok 22 and struggle to find a way back through.
It ends with them winning the ball and then a lineout. That was Scotland's best spell in this half by far, albeit exceptionally fleeting.
Pictures say a thousand words and all that...
De Klerk misses penalty
De Klerk narrowly misses from his penalty kick and Scotland try to make a quick bolt up the field.
Needless to say, it's back with the leaders in no time.
'The Bomb Squad' are on now too and proving that moniker to be right.
An hour gone, 20 to go. It's either go all out or try to keep the score down for Townsend's side now.
It's clear that they have to score next.
Scotland toiling
Scotland have enjoyed flirting with comebacks recently.
It'll need to be a miraculous turnaround if it's to even come close to happening now.
It's all South Africa as Scotland fail to keep their scrum up yet again.
Momentum isn't shifting, it has planted itself firmly in the South African camp.
South Africa 18-3 Scotland
Kicking duties fall to the left-footed Far de Klerk and he makes no mistake with the conversion.
You have to just admire the play from the Springboks since the restart.
Imposing.
TRY: South Africa 16-3 Scotland
Scotland have been blown away at the start of this half.
A no-look kick from Libbock frees Kurt-Lee Arendse to add another score already.
That was a stunning move. Roberto Firmino-esque from Libbock, to borrow from another sport to describe that one.
Libbock misses
Libbock squanders his following attempt and it remains 11-3.
Not his finest afternoon off of the tee.
TRY: South Africa 11-3 Scotland
South Africa sweep across the pitch at such a pace.
Once again, Scotland's defence is a match for it though as they halt Kurt-Lee Arendse's advances.
Another scrum for the Springboks follows, inside Scotland's 22, it's a huge chance for them.
They continue to stay camped out at the right end of the pitch and ultimately get over the line.
Pieter-Steph du Toit powers over the lie to score the game's first try.
Short penalty attempt from Libbock
An early knock-on and Scotland concede a scrum.
South Africa get the upper hand from this one, unlike the end of the first half, and win a penalty.
Libbock decides to go for the uprights in an attempt to stretch his side's lead.
It was a long kick and it falls a long way short. Still a three-point game.
Half-time: South Africa 6-3 Scotland
Chaotic to say the least but Scotland are on the board and only three points behind at the interval.
Defensively resolute and finding a few gaps when they attack, this game is far from over.
Let's not underestimate what South Africa will bring in the second half either, mind you.
It could be a sensational 40 coming up. Stick with us.
South Africa 6-3 Scotland
Finn Russell kicks Scotland's penalty through the uprights to put points on the board right at the end of the half.
That's more like it. C'mon!
Penalty Scotland
Scotland win a penalty from the scrum and you can hear the roars inside the stadium from the Scottish fans.
Zander Fagerson gets all the credit for that one.
End-to-end
South Africa drive into the Scotland 22 from a lineout.
Scotland, however, stand resolute and frustrate the attacking side and end up winning a scrum for their efforts.
Overpowering the Springboks is by no means an easy task but Townsend's men are putting in some shift here.
South Africa overextends and Finn Russell can boot it into touch.
Pierre Schoeman then finds himself on the end of a powerful challenge, knocks the ball on, and South Africa are awarded a scrum for their troubles.
I feel like I can hear, and feel, the thumping challenges from here...and I'm live-texting this from Scotland. It's an incredible show of power from both sides so far.
The scrap that caused CHAOS
Scotland and South Africa showed some real fight on and off the pitch, with a barmy breaking out after just 20 minutes in Marseille.
But after less than 20 minutes the Rugby World Cup match descended in to a right old barmy on the side of the grass. It came after a collision with a number of players saw bodies tumbled to the floor but tensions flared up with the game stopped for a moment or two as the two squads moved to calm down the anger. The referee wasn't having it, however and pulled the guilty parties to the side for a sharp dressing room.
So close for Scots
A gamble. A break. A chance.
Darcy Graham flies off towards the tryline and he simply has to move the ball onto the outside one more time.
It came from a well-engineered lineout from the Scots but Libbock recovered to charge down Graham.
That's the break-neck speed Scotland can play it and have to play it if they want to get anything from this.
Russell penalised
The TMO is involved however for a no-arms challenge by Russell.
He's overran his move and collides with the aforementioned Kolbe with a penalty ultimately given for South Africa.
Right, back to the rugby now, please.
Scots squander
The often-mercurial Finn Russell tries to spark his side's attack into life.
Good luck to the number 10 though against this defence as he's snuffed out immediately. They really are just so, so quick.
South Africa are then forced into a change as Eben Etzebeth is replaced with RG Snyman in the second row.
There's a Scotland scrum in a promising position to attack after the swap and Tuipulotu's pass is intercepted by a flying block from Cheslin Kolbe on Pierre Schoeman.
Nothing added from the ref or TMO as it's judged to be a genuine attempt to win the ball.
South Africa 6-0 Scotland
Sione Tuipulotu is felled and is penalised for not releasing.
Another Springboks penalty. Libbock doubles their lead from the tee.
It's all kicking off now
A glut of players spill over the sidelines and it ignites.
Darcy Graham and Cheslin Kolbe appear to be at the centre of it all.
Mundane tackle, says the ref. Asks for everyone to calm down and 'no more scrapping'.
That's that then.
Water break time
It's sweltering in Marseille, to say the least and we have the first water break of the contest.
Jamie Ritchie barks the instructions as the Scots catch their breath. A Scotland scrum follows as the action resumes.
A thumping Huw Jones tackle as the South Africans advance, having won the ball back, keeps them from processing.
Well controlled from the Scots.
