Scotland women 17 - 41 South Africa women: Springboks steal the show despite Halfpenny's efforts for much improved Scotland

A SCOTLAND side transformed from the outfit that capitulated in the face of Springbok pressure the previous Saturday produced a much improved performance before being swept aside in the final quarter of their second World Cup build-up match at Lasswade yesterday, writes Colin Renton.

The Scots made a lively start and edged ahead when Nicola Halfpenny slotted a third-minute penalty. However, although Scotland enjoyed the bulk of the early possession, it was the visitors who were next to score. A kick ahead by Yolanda Meiring created uncertainty in the home defence and Zenay Jordaan darted in for the score, converted by Zandile Nojoko.

But, displaying more mettle than in the first meeting, Scotland battled back with another penalty from Halfpenny and regained the lead when Heather Lockhart emerged from a heap of bodies to claim a try after a powerful lineout drive.

And Halfpenny sent the Scots in at the break with a 14-7 advantage when she stroked over her third penalty, then was on the mark once more shortly after the restart.

Nojoko responded with a penalty and the visitors trimmed the deficit to two points with a try from Lorinda Brown. The fightback was complete when Meiring sprinted over for a converted try and Brown struck the killer blow after an hour with her second try – Nojoko again converting. Lamla Momoti completed the task when she sliced through for try number six.

Scotland Women: N Halfpenny, C Hawthorn, L Millard, V Fitzpatrick(S Newton 60), K Green, E Kerr, L Dalgliesh (S Gill 40), H Lockhart (R Murphy 64), S Walker (A MacDonald 70), B Dickens, G McCord, L Moffat, S Brown (K Holdsworth 74), R Slaven, D Kennedy (L Reid 53)

Scorers: Scotland: Try – Lockhart; Pens – Halfpenny (4)

South Africa: Tries – Jordaan (2), Brown (2), Meiring, Momoti; Cons – Nojoko (4); Pen – Nojoko