South Africa v Scotland - Nations Championship result as world champions survive huge scare with late Jesse Kriel try sinking inspired visitors

South Africa survived a major scare against Scotland in Pretoria as the world champions managed to hold off an inspired four-try display from the free-flowing visitors in a 42-28 Nations Championship victory at Loftus Versfeld.

Gregor Townsend's men came roaring back from 14-0 behind to deservedly level at the break as brilliant scores from Embrose Papier (17') and Evan Roos (19') were cancelled out by two majestic tries from Matt Fagerson (34') and Kyle Rowe (40').

After Scotland failed to find a score with the Boks down to 14 men early in the second half, it looked like another case of glorious failure with tries from Elrigh Louw (58'), Damian Willemse (60') and Zachary Porthen (66') carrying the home side 35-14 clear.

But the visitors, who had never won on South African soil, were far from finished as further brilliant scores from Josh Bayliss (68') and Ben White (70') set up a grandstand finish.

And the Scots were within inches of levelling up late on when Kyle Steyn just failed to collect a Tom Jordan crossfield pass with the try line in sight at 35-28 behind.

That proved a pivotal moment as Jesse Kriel raced onto a clever chipped pass by the excellent Handre Pollard, who kicked 10 points of his own, on 78 minutes to finally end the visiting side's hopes of a famous comeback victory against the odds.

Upon reflection, Scotland will know they had enough ball to score more tries, but will rue not moving ahead in an eminently winnable match when Ben-Jason Dixon was yellow carded early in the second half for charging into Scott Cummings with his head.

"We're really frustrated we didn't get more points on the board in the first half and then during that period when the Boks go down to 14 men," said coach Townsend on ITV before his side return home to face Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.

"We were sloppy for 10 minutes.

"I'm massively proud of the effort to come back in.

"At 70 minutes, I was believing we would go on and win, but it wasn't to be today.

"It's a learning curve for us, there were a lot of good parts to the play.

"But we've got to be better for 80 minutes."

HANDRE POLLARD PRAISES 'VERY GOOD' SCOTLAND AFTER SPRINGBOKS WIN

"We knew Scotland are a very good side, but I thought we showed great character," he told ITV.

"We let them back in in the third quarter which was disappointing, but we got through it.

"Defensively, we were pretty disappointing in some periods, but we're still happy with the result.

"It's a great experience for a lot of us, guys who haven't played a lot of Test matches to play in this atmosphere.

"It is incredible."

South Africa host Wales in their next Nations Championship fixture in Durban on Saturday.

"I'm a little bit gutted to be honest, but proud of the boys too," said captain Sione Tuipulotu on ITV. "Execution when the pressure is high. They showed a little bit better execution at the back end of the game, that got them the result.

"Credit to them, they defended and scrambled really well as they normally do."

South Africa knock the ball out of play to bring the match to an end. A chaotic battle is won by the world champions, but Scotland were hugely impressive this evening. Could easily have won the match. Which explains how admirably they performed in arguably the toughest venue in world rugby.

That is surely the winning moment in this match. Which is a bitter pill for Scotland to swallow. Little kick by Pollard finds Kriel and he evades a couple of pink shirts to go over for the clincher. Very harsh on Scots.

Scotland have refused to go away. Has been quite the night whatever happens from here. But Scotland are unfortunate not to be ahead against the world champions.

Cummings providing world-class runs for Scotland. Jordan tries to pick out Steyn out wide, but he just fails to gather the ball with a try on the cards for the Scots. This is so, so good from the visitors, who are 35-28 behind with only seven remaining.

Wow. This is a stunning rugby football match. Scotland are roaring back here. And back to within a score of the world champions. Looked all over, but it isn't now. That's also the bonus point as Ben White reaches out to pop the ball down. Scotland are in their element in Pretoria.

Scotland refusing to buckle as they cut the Springboks wide open to score their third try of the night. Would you believe this? Scott Cummings with a neat pass to Bayliss, who jogs over the line. Russell with the extras. Ball game still alive.

Looks like it might be a done deal with three tries from South Africa proving too much for Scotland, who have done really well here for about an hour. Porthen manages to scramble over the line and Pollard adds a couple.

The Springboks have serious muscle when the Test match reaches the scoring rounds. Scotland living on the edge here a bit as the crowd are cranking up the noise too. So much brute force in attack.

The visitors are going to have to dig deep here after being hit by another rapid try double from the Springboks. The finishing quality of the two sides obvious. Willemse with a fine finish this time after a penalty advantage. Pollard doesn't miss either.

The world champions display raw brute force to succeed where Scotland failed in finding the try. Elrigh Louw applies the finish after a period of sustained pressure. Extras added by Pollard.

Dixon is back on, sporting fresh legs like a new man after his breather. Nine phases from the Springboks and a penalty advantage.

Or whatever it is they are wired up with these days. Gregor Townsend must sense there is a big chance of a victory at the iconic Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Springboks with the put-in at scrum.

Dixon is back onto the pitch after his yellow with a chance of redemption. Scots not finding another score in that period. Will they live to regret that opportunity? Scotland continue to hold up well in combat against the heavier Springboks.

Scotland are perhaps harshly penalised for their work at the scrum. Decision goes against Schoeman for not driving straight. That is tough to take.

Keeping the ball nice and short when the forwards are involved. Holding up well at close quarters. Incessant Scotland attacking before Dempsey is penalised for a knock-on. Relentless pressure from the Scots on that South Africa defence.

So good news for South Africa and Dixon is that it won't be upgraded to red. Five minutes remaining of the sin bin offence. Scots just have to continue working to this game plan.