Autumn Nations Series | Eben Etzebeth takes Player of the Match award in South Africa’s win over Scotland

by Jack Lacey-Hatton

Eben Etzebeth won the Player of the Match award as his South Africa team pulled off a 30-15 Autumn Nations Series win over Scotland.

The Springbok lock was in formidable form, getting stronger as the game progressed and helping his team to an efficient win at BT Murrayfield.

He edged out teammate Makazole Mapimpi who scored the two South African tries in Edinburgh and fly-half Elton Jantjies who kicked three vital penalties and a conversion.

For Scotland, Stuart Hogg was the star man, scoring two brilliant tries in a valiant effort against the world champions.

But a missed penalty from Russell and the second try from Mapimpi for the Springboks either side of half-time proved crucial.

South Africa outmuscle Scotland

At lineouts Etzebeth was dominant, helping his team apply maximum pressure on the Scots and taking the game away from the hosts whenever they threatened to get in-front.

The second-row stopped Scotland from gaining any attacking momentum after half-time, as the Springboks made it two wins from two in the series, following their win over Wales in Cardiff last week.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the win, Etzebeth said he was delighted with the response after trailing at half-time.

🙌 A second win on the road for the Boks – thanks @Scotlandteam for another great game at a wonderful stadium! Who was your man of the match? #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/C8H8UL1JII

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 13, 2021

“It’s always nice to come here (BT Murrayfield) it’s an awesome stadium, awesome people and lots of South Africans here.

“I think the first-half obviously wasn’t the best.

“But we just said to keep to the structure, just have some patience and we’ll come back second half.

“We knew we could come back second-half, and I thought every one of the guys was awesome in the second-half.

“It (facing England) is going to be a massive challenge next week. But we’ll celebrate tonight and then tomorrow, we’ll start focusing on that match.”

Speaking on Amazon Prime Video commentary, former Scotland captain Rory Lawson, who selected Etzebeth as the Player of the Match, said: “He (Etzebeth) has been right in the mix on both sides of the ball.

“He has been a real menace defensively over the top of the ball. He has dominated Scotland at every lineout.”