South Africa 3-0 Scotland – Rugby World Cup LIVE: Manie Libbok nails penalty as Springboks take early lead against Gregor Townsend’s men

Gardner did really well there, calming both teams and warning the respective captains that the ‘game is not going down that path.’

Which, we can safely assume, is the path of scuffles and hands in players’ faces.

De Allende carries and goes flying into touch, much to his displeasure. A scuffle breaks out, followed by a couole more before Angus Gardner intervenes and restores some calm.

Dempsey charges and makes ground after Scotland won the ball off their own feed, before. Russell kick over half-way. But South Africa counter through swiftly through Willemse, who is stopped by a crunching tackle from Kinghorn.

Malcom Marx is off the field for Bongi Mbonambi, while Scotland have a scrum in their own 22m as play resume after the water break.

No sooner have Scotland built some pressure that they give away another cheap penalty at the line-up. Libbok plants a kick into touch into Scotland’s 22m and the Boks have a great attacking platform.

Etzebeth shatters Russell with a brutal hit, but Scotland at last look to be making some inroads into South Africa’s territory. Libbok counters with a chip and chase of his own, before Russell colletcs the ball and looks to cut through the Boks pack winning a penalty.

Libbok makes no mistake this time, as he nails a penalty from 35m out to give the Boks the lead. A series of powerful carries from the Boks ends with Russell penalised for a deliberate knock-on.

The scrum results in a penalty, but Libbok misses his kick. The Springboks really should be up by three points here.

Scotland make a mess of their lineout and the Springboks win the ball back, before Libbok puts up anothr kick, which Kinghorn looks to field but he knocks-on and the Boks have a scrum 10m into Scotland’s half.

Kitshoff is offside at a maul after Gray carried powerfully for Scotland and is penalised. Russell finds touch and Scotland have a good attacking platform

Libbok puts up a kick as the Springboks continue to come at Scotland from all angle, but the defence holds up and Gregor Townsend’s men with a penalty.

Mostert charges down Price’s clearing kick as the Springboks continue to build pressure. Scotland win the line-up and manage to relieve pressure, albeit only temporarily.

And we’re off! South Africa kick us off and we’re underway. Scotland knock it on within 10 seconds and the Springboks already look to build pressure.

It’s time for the anthems, and we start with Flower of Scotland. And, surprisingly, for once the fans, choir and players all sing at the same pace. It’s a huge improvement on the frankly dreadful offerings we’ve had over the past two days.

Next up, Nkosi sikelel’ Afrika. It’s proper Rugby World Cup stuff and is belted out with gusto by Siya Kolisi and his teammates.

That was tremendous. And we’re ready to go.

The teams are out on the pitch, Sacotland wearing their traditional all blue kit and South Africa sporting a kit resembling Nigeria’s World Cup kit, but with the green features slightly faded away.

It’s a bold number, but if there’s one team that can pull it off it’s them. Faf de Klerk walks on the pitch on his own to commemorate his 50th cap and is met by a huge ovation.

Sir Ian McGeechan has been singing the praises of Finn Russell on ITV.

‘Finn Russell, with his kick-passing, is second to none,’ said the Lions legend.

‘He and Ben White will be looking to inject as much pace as possible.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to ITV: ‘We do believe this is an opportunity. We’ve been building to a level where we can take on the best in the world.

‘We have belief in our players. We’ve gone up against powerful teams and handled that physicality. Today is probably a step up and that’s the challenge for the players.

‘We have had recent victories and good performances against some of the best. We need that again and a bit extra.”

Marseille may be slightly cooler than Paris on opening night, but it’s still sizzling hot with temperatures hovering around the 30C mark. Murrayfield in February, it is not.

Springboks great Bobby Skinstad believes the reigning world champions should be wary of Scotland.

‘It’s a really tricky opening game for South Africa,’ the 2007 Rugby World Cup winner told BBC Radio Scotland.

‘This Scottish side have got more flair than Scotland have shown in previous years.

‘They score long-range tries and have big, hard, strong outside backs. They’ve also got a gritty, nuggety forward pack.

‘We’ve seen in the United Rugby Championship the Scottish sides dominating South African sides up front at times.’

Mail Sport’s Rob Robertson, who is in attendance at the Stade Velodrome, writes: ‘Scotland fans have come more in hope than expectation to their World Cup opener against South Africa. Scotland’s 1990 Grand Slam flanker John Jeffrey claims this is the best Scotland team ever but not many believe him.

‘They do have their best ever fly-half since John Rutherford in Finn Russell and if he can produce some magic then Scotland have a chance. If he doesn’t then put your money on a Springboks win, maybe by 15 points.’

The Springboks have retained 11 of the players that started the 35-7 win over New Zealand at Twickenham last month.

Jasper Wiese comes in at number eight and winger Cheslin Kolbe returns on the left wing, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel selected at centre.

De Allende is one of six players in the XV who started the 2019 final against England along with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, lock Eben Etzebeth, prop Frans Malherbe and Faf de Klerk, who wins his 50th cap.

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements: Mbonambi, Nche, Nyakane, Snyman, Van Staden, Vermeulen, Williams, Le Roux.

A reminder of the team Gregor Townsend has picked for today. There is no shortage of flair in the backline, while the mercurial Finn Russell gets the nod at fly-half.

There is, however, a completely new front now compared to the team that faced Georgia in the final warm-up match.

SCOTLAND XV: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (c), Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith.

South Africa are aiming for an eight successive win against Scotland and have lost just once in the past 15 meetings between the nations.

Scotland and South Africa have been drawn in the same World Cup pool for the third time, with the Scots still looking for their first win.

The defending world champions Springboks ran out 46-29 winner in Edinburgh in 1999 and prevailed 34-16 in Newcastle eight years ago.

The silver lining to both of those defeats is that Scotland qualified for the knockout stages on both occasions.

The Springboks, meanwhile, have lost both of their last two World Cup openers. They were shocked 34-32 by Japan in Brighton in 2015 and lost 23-13 to the All Blacks four years ago.

Will Scotland be able to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start in this challenging encounter?

Ali Price says that in order to overcome South Africa, Scotland will have to be brave and quick.

Ahead of this game, South Africa took the bold step of naming their team two days early.

Star scrum-half Faf de Klerk will win his 50th Test cap, with the talismanic Siya Kolisi captaining the side from the back row.

South Africa prop Ox Nche has revealed his unorthodox plan as he looks to guide his side to glory

Fans from both nations have been seen enjoying themselves ahead of the game in France.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Rugby World Cup clash between Scotland and South Africa. Stay tuned for all the latest updates from the game at Stade Velodrome.

Gardner did really well there, calming both teams and warning the respective captains that the ‘game is not going down that path.’

Which, we can safely assume, is the path of scuffles and hands in players’ faces.

De Allende carries and goes flying into touch, much to his displeasure. A scuffle breaks out, followed by a couole more before Angus Gardner intervenes and restores some calm.

Dempsey charges and makes ground after Scotland won the ball off their own feed, before. Russell kick over half-way. But South Africa counter through swiftly through Willemse, who is stopped by a crunching tackle from Kinghorn.

Malcom Marx is off the field for Bongi Mbonambi, while Scotland have a scrum in their own 22m as play resume after the water break.

No sooner have Scotland built some pressure that they give away another cheap penalty at the line-up. Libbok plants a kick into touch into Scotland’s 22m and the Boks have a great attacking platform.

Etzebeth shatters Russell with a brutal hit, but Scotland at last look to be making some inroads into South Africa’s territory. Libbok counters with a chip and chase of his own, before Russell colletcs the ball and looks to cut through the Boks pack winning a penalty.

Libbok makes no mistake this time, as he nails a penalty from 35m out to give the Boks the lead. A series of powerful carries from the Boks ends with Russell penalised for a deliberate knock-on.

The scrum results in a penalty, but Libbok misses his kick. The Springboks really should be up by three points here.

Scotland make a mess of their lineout and the Springboks win the ball back, before Libbok puts up anothr kick, which Kinghorn looks to field but he knocks-on and the Boks have a scrum 10m into Scotland’s half.

Kitshoff is offside at a maul after Gray carried powerfully for Scotland and is penalised. Russell finds touch and Scotland have a good attacking platform

Libbok puts up a kick as the Springboks continue to come at Scotland from all angle, but the defence holds up and Gregor Townsend’s men with a penalty.

Mostert charges down Price’s clearing kick as the Springboks continue to build pressure. Scotland win the line-up and manage to relieve pressure, albeit only temporarily.

And we’re off! South Africa kick us off and we’re underway. Scotland knock it on within 10 seconds and the Springboks already look to build pressure.

It’s time for the anthems, and we start with Flower of Scotland. And, surprisingly, for once the fans, choir and players all sing at the same pace. It’s a huge improvement on the frankly dreadful offerings we’ve had over the past two days.

Next up, Nkosi sikelel’ Afrika. It’s proper Rugby World Cup stuff and is belted out with gusto by Siya Kolisi and his teammates.

That was tremendous. And we’re ready to go.

The teams are out on the pitch, Sacotland wearing their traditional all blue kit and South Africa sporting a kit resembling Nigeria’s World Cup kit, but with the green features slightly faded away.

It’s a bold number, but if there’s one team that can pull it off it’s them. Faf de Klerk walks on the pitch on his own to commemorate his 50th cap and is met by a huge ovation.

Sir Ian McGeechan has been singing the praises of Finn Russell on ITV.

‘Finn Russell, with his kick-passing, is second to none,’ said the Lions legend.

‘He and Ben White will be looking to inject as much pace as possible.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to ITV: ‘We do believe this is an opportunity. We’ve been building to a level where we can take on the best in the world.

‘We have belief in our players. We’ve gone up against powerful teams and handled that physicality. Today is probably a step up and that’s the challenge for the players.

‘We have had recent victories and good performances against some of the best. We need that again and a bit extra.”

Marseille may be slightly cooler than Paris on opening night, but it’s still sizzling hot with temperatures hovering around the 30C mark. Murrayfield in February, it is not.

Springboks great Bobby Skinstad believes the reigning world champions should be wary of Scotland.

‘It’s a really tricky opening game for South Africa,’ the 2007 Rugby World Cup winner told BBC Radio Scotland.

‘This Scottish side have got more flair than Scotland have shown in previous years.

‘They score long-range tries and have big, hard, strong outside backs. They’ve also got a gritty, nuggety forward pack.

‘We’ve seen in the United Rugby Championship the Scottish sides dominating South African sides up front at times.’

Mail Sport’s Rob Robertson, who is in attendance at the Stade Velodrome, writes: ‘Scotland fans have come more in hope than expectation to their World Cup opener against South Africa. Scotland’s 1990 Grand Slam flanker John Jeffrey claims this is the best Scotland team ever but not many believe him.

‘They do have their best ever fly-half since John Rutherford in Finn Russell and if he can produce some magic then Scotland have a chance. If he doesn’t then put your money on a Springboks win, maybe by 15 points.’

The Springboks have retained 11 of the players that started the 35-7 win over New Zealand at Twickenham last month.

Jasper Wiese comes in at number eight and winger Cheslin Kolbe returns on the left wing, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel selected at centre.

De Allende is one of six players in the XV who started the 2019 final against England along with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, lock Eben Etzebeth, prop Frans Malherbe and Faf de Klerk, who wins his 50th cap.

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Marx, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements: Mbonambi, Nche, Nyakane, Snyman, Van Staden, Vermeulen, Williams, Le Roux.

A reminder of the team Gregor Townsend has picked for today. There is no shortage of flair in the backline, while the mercurial Finn Russell gets the nod at fly-half.

There is, however, a completely new front now compared to the team that faced Georgia in the final warm-up match.

SCOTLAND XV: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (c), Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith.

South Africa are aiming for an eight successive win against Scotland and have lost just once in the past 15 meetings between the nations.

Scotland and South Africa have been drawn in the same World Cup pool for the third time, with the Scots still looking for their first win.

The defending world champions Springboks ran out 46-29 winner in Edinburgh in 1999 and prevailed 34-16 in Newcastle eight years ago.

The silver lining to both of those defeats is that Scotland qualified for the knockout stages on both occasions.

The Springboks, meanwhile, have lost both of their last two World Cup openers. They were shocked 34-32 by Japan in Brighton in 2015 and lost 23-13 to the All Blacks four years ago.

Will Scotland be able to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start in this challenging encounter?

Ali Price says that in order to overcome South Africa, Scotland will have to be brave and quick.

Ahead of this game, South Africa took the bold step of naming their team two days early.

Star scrum-half Faf de Klerk will win his 50th Test cap, with the talismanic Siya Kolisi captaining the side from the back row.

South Africa prop Ox Nche has revealed his unorthodox plan as he looks to guide his side to glory

Fans from both nations have been seen enjoying themselves ahead of the game in France.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Rugby World Cup clash between Scotland and South Africa. Stay tuned for all the latest updates from the game at Stade Velodrome.