Autumn internationals 2024: Scotland vs South Africa recap and head-to-head battles
Sports News Blitz’s rugby writer Katie Ransome takes a look at game eight of the Autumn internationals 2024 series, when Scotland take on South Africa.
A long-distance relationship dating back to 1906, Scotland and South Africa have only met 29 times over the course of Test Rugby history, the Springboks sitting pretty with 24 victories to Scotland's five.
Fluctuating from being within a hair's width, to essentially canyons apart when it comes to the scores on the doors, these two sides have gained the reputation for producing nothing short of a nail-biting 80 minutes.
Returning to the grounds of the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium following a three-year absence, South Africa are on a hot-streak and Scotland are looking for their first victory against their Southern rivals in over a decade - so this jewel feature is a must-see event.
Scotland vs South Africa - Last five games recap
Most recently facing off during the early group stages of 2023’s Rugby World Cup, this occasion is surely not one Scotland want to remember, having fallen victim to the dominant South African side by three tries to 18.
Despite a promisingly close first half with excellent shows of physicality from both ends of the field and many a close call for the South African side thrown in for good measure, Scotland in the end let old habits die hard.
Seen on screen to be scrambling to make an impact at every turn, the Springboks were arguably just left to do what they do best; win rugby games.
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After riding the victory high from Twickenham to Paris, Scotland's 15-30 loss against South Africa back on November 13, 2021 came as a crushing reality check.
Scotland captain at the time Stuart Hogg described the performance as a shot to themselves in the foot, after half-time came promising a genuine chance of victory for the blue and white team for the first time in 11 years.
Dominating the set piece and taking five successive penalties, it could also be said South Africa's win was never really in doubt.
Seemingly forging a disappointing yet all too common pattern, the sides met previously another year earlier in November of 2018, Scotland again falling foul with 20 points to SA’s 26.
Neck and neck until the dying seconds of the match, South Africa could smell defeat lingering despite a staggering 18 points scored by Handre Pollard alone.
Physicality a defining point in this game like many, Scotland gave every ounce of power and energy they could in trying to tip the scale in their favour, heartbreakingly to no avail once more.
Turning back time even further to 2015 for October 3’s iteration of the Rugby World Cup sees South Africa once again pull a clinical game out of the bag, 34-16 the final result.
In spite of being an event rife with silly mistakes from the get go on both sides of the pitch, the comfortable South African victory not only marked redemption day, but is also remembered for being yet another episode of the Handre Pollard show.
Our last and biggest points gap game to date falls on June 28, marking the mid-way point for 2014’s rugby season.
Even against an in-experienced Springboks squad, Scotland were horrendously outmuscled, lacking any sense of cohesion. They could ultimately do nothing but watch the record breaking 6-55 loss over SA play out.
Following a summer of highs under then new head coach Vern Cotter, it presented as a stark reminder as to the job he still had ahead with small flickers of hope all that could be gained from the game.
But as they say, with a new year comes new opportunity, therefore could 2024 mark the start of Scotland's reign? Or will prevailing champions South Africa continue their path of annihilation?
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Coaches: Gregor Townsend vs Rassie Erasmus
Highlands born & bred, Gregor Townsend has been leading the Scotland side since 2017 serving as a prominent figure for the team's highs and lows, as well as everything else in between.
Possessing quite the CV of teams from his playing days and renowned for versatility having once occupied the jerseys for full-back, centre and fly-half, he certainly knows his way around a rugby pitch.
The longest-serving head coach in Scotland's professional rugby era, there's no denying that Townsend has gained the loyalty of board members and support staff alike, with a team centred coaching style paving the way for confidence and structure.
The focus then this Autumn will no doubt be on elevating the side’s position and bringing together each piece of the puzzle to not only go against rivals like no other, but also walk away victorious.
Returning from a short sabbatical as South Africa's Director of Rugby in 2023, Ressie Erasmus re-joined the Springboks as head coach for the commencement of their 2024 season.
Completely re-designing the organisation's coaching and management team despite mammoth success during his year away, Erasmus explained that this overhaul stems from awareness that sport always requires change, keeping opponents on their toes as to what South Africa may do next.
Setting out to inspire the nation and use his winning ways of past as stepping stones for what's to come, he is hailed as not only the best thing to happen to the Springboks in recent times, but as a tactical mastermind, innovator and disruptor.
Familiar with each other from across the pitch, neither Townsend or Erasmus will go down without a fight.
Players
Hookers: Malcom Marx vs Ewan Ashman
Leading the charge of players from the front row, hookers act as not only strategists divvying up the direction of play, but also blockades, co-ordinators and possessors.
Originally playing in the rear field, however moving to the front hooking position by suggestion from ex Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, Malcolm Marx has never looked back (literally).
Debuting against New Zealand in 2016, his story is nothing short of captivating, labels such as agile, ball hungry and a true asset only coming to this defence.
After a heartbreaking withdrawal from the 2023 World Cup series due to injury, further agony following in the form of a broken leg just this July, the entire rugby community will surely be looking for his return this Autumn.
Canadian turned Scotsman Ewan Ashman burst onto the scene in blue and white during the union's battle against Australia, raising the roof on debut with an electric try.
Essentially a staple of the roster since, his long-term commitment to Scotland definitely gives fans something to look forward to.
Star of the show for nimble speed, fiery passion and only playing nice when absolutely necessary, lets see what else he can get into when he and the team take on South Africa in just a few weeks’ time.
MORE FROM KATIE RANSOME: Autumn internationals 2024: Ireland v New Zealand recap and head-to-head battles
Fly-halves: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu vs Finn Russell
Directing attacks, kicking for territory and passing the ball through players like they're not even there, fly-halves are another breed of player destined to lead.
Another generational talent who has been called it all, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at the age of just 22 has the eligibility, and dare we say popularity, to play for numerous nations.
Ultimately deciding to stick with his roots, Feinberg-Mngomezulu debuted for South Africa at the tail end of 2022, his lanky yet surprisingly bulky build cementing him as the perfect choice for the fly-half life.
In hot water with management after concealing an injury as recently as this September however, his and our dreams of seeing him compete again this year currently hang in the balance with it yet to be confirmed if he will play.
Nicknamed by many the Lionel Messi of rugby, Finn Russell has been the go-to man for Scotland for coming up on 11 years, with 50 caps for his country to prove it.
Trained as a stonemason after high school in addition to his amateur rugby commitments, his journey to the forefront of international sport should be seen as nothing but inspiring for the next generation.
Already a confirmed a non-starter for Scotland's first game of the Autumn International series against Fiji due to its calendar date before the test window opens, his addition to the squad later on in the series could be game changing.
Flankers: Jamie Ritchie vs Kwagga Smith
A role divisible by two, open and blindside flankers form the link between those in the forward and back half of play with wicked fast reflexes and the strength to challenge a rhino.
Having signed his first professional contract at the age of just 17, Jamie Ritchie has just recently celebrated a century of appearances for Scotland.
With quite the CV for seniority and known to be a unique blend of both disciplined and unpredictable, Ritchie has in no doubt earned his current landmark 52 caps.
Given the opportunity to captain Scotland this past Guinness Six Nations, however ultimately being relieved of such duties, there is certainly going to be unfinished business there as Ritchie looks to continue his megawatt bounce back streak.
A big-time boost to South Africa in spite of his small stature, and known prominently for his ball-carrying ability and versatile approach to the game, Kwagga Smith has come a long way in his journey to international recognition.
Raised on a farm in rural South Africa, those early training sessions were far from conventional, working to live rather than play; but he certainly didn't let that stop him, making his official debut in yellow and green for the 2018 season after a stint bouncing between varying rugby formats.
Resonant of head coach Erasmus’s unique approach to crafting his game line-ups, Kwagga can’t yet be classed as a constant starter, however is in no doubt a vital component to the Springboks’ match-day machine.
Centres: Matt Currie vs Jesse Kriel
As the title implies, mid-field men like Matt Currie and Jesse Kriel are always the centre of attention, overwhelmingly fast and agile with a lethal tackle.
Rookie to the Scotland outfit, Matt Currie made his debut in navy and white just this year, elevating play from dream to reality.
Following the path of graduality, Currie earned a name for himself first in junior rugby, through the Scottish rugby system pathway as a man not only willing, but capable of pulling some insane moves out of the bag when it matters most.
Nothing short of humble, Currie believes he's right there in the mix for permanent ownership of that number 12/13 bib, so watch this space.
Born into one of ‘the’ rugby bloodlines, it's no wonder Jesse Kriel’s name bounces around with descriptors such as extreme athlete, generational asset and all-round superstar.
Turning heads from day one, Kriel’s journey to professional rugby was by no means a long one, going from graduating juniors in 2014 to the Springboks call in 2019.
A key cog in the machine that is South Africa, he has been an irreplaceable player ever since. Two Rugby World Cup titles to his name in almost as many years - what will he do next?
Loosehead props: Nathan McBeth vs Ox Nche
Partners in crime to the hooking men, props like Nathan McBeth and Ox Nche represent the very lifeline of a game; sly, calculated and strong just a few of the many terms used in conjunction with the name.
South African born Scot Nathan McBeth is a fairly concealed character within the world of rugby.
Popping onto the scene with the Scotland U20 squad in 2018, he was then named most improved player of the season for Club Mackenzie in 2022/23 and finally earned the senior call-up in 2024 for the Scotland outfit’s Skyscanner Americas Tour.
Ruled out of fixtures linked to secondary club the Glasgow Warriors mere weeks ago with an undisclosed medial collateral ligament injury, he's now in a race against time to be fit and ready come November 10.
Long time fan favourite, Retshegofaditswe 'Tshego' Nché, more commonly known as the Ox, earned himself the name due to his suffocating stance within the scrum.
Hot property to the market, Nche didn't let that stop him from rounding out his education with a degree from the Free State University, excelling just as much there as on the pitch.
Seeped in rumours of a move to join the Top 14 in France, Nche’s journey in the sport is far from over with bigger and better things to come.
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