​Former Scotland prop Peter Wright believes Gregor Townsend’s team missed a golden chance to topple world champions South Africa after their 42-28 defeat on Saturday. The loss extended Scotland’s long wait for a victory over the Springboks on South African soil, with Wright and many Scottish fans lamenting what could have been against a South Africa side that was rotated under head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Wright told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound that Scotland’s level of performance suggested they were in a position to win, even if the result did not go their way in the end. “From yesterday’s display, they could’ve won,” he said. “A lot of it was self-inflicted. There were small errors that led to South Africa tries.” He noted that three mistakes by Scotland had direct consequences, allowing the hosts to capitalise and widen their lead.
“If we were ever going to beat South Africa, this was the moment,” Wright added. “I think it comes down to mental strength. We didn’t have that final push to get over the line.” He explained that Scotland often seemed to know how to get into advantageous positions but struggled to finish those chances against a side that is renowned for its resilience and finishing power. “We don’t know how to beat South Africa, so when we get into good positions, we don’t quite manage to cross that line.”
The defeat came after Scotland had defeated Argentina the previous weekend, and Townsend’s men now turn their attention to a Super Saturday clash against Fiji at Murrayfield. Townsend signalled that he expected “a lot of changes” for that match, aiming to test depth and maintain momentum ahead of the autumn internationals.
Wright also commended Scotland’s conditioning in challenging circumstances. He pointed out that the game was staged in Pretoria, a high-altitude venue the Scots had to contend with. “The game was played in Pretoria, which is at altitude,” he explained. “I’ve played there three times in my career, and it’s brutal. You go from feeling fairly fit, to realizing you’re gasping for oxygen.” He emphasized that adjusting to altitude was a crucial factor, yet Scotland adapted well in terms of fitness, tempo, and pace, delivering a performance that was physically impressive given the setting.
The analysis underlines Scotland’s strong overall execution in terms of stamina and speed, even as the side falls short at the final hurdle. The team will be hopeful that the experience, heightened by the altitude challenge and the learnings from missed opportunities, will sharpen their edge for the Fiji game and the rest of the season. With a series of strategic selections anticipated for the Fiji clash, Scotland’s coaching staff will be looking to convert positional advantages into points, building confidence ahead of tougher tests later in the calendar.