South Africa squeezes Scotland to open Rugby World Cup defense with 18-3 win
South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse runs to scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Daniel Cole]
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — South Africa put the squeeze on a brave Scotland by scoring two tries early in the second half to break open a close game and win 18-3 to open its Rugby World Cup title defense. The Springboks showed both sides of their game when flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit bashed his way over in the 46th minute and winger Kurt-Lee Arendse flew onto a perfect cross-kick from Manie Libbok three minutes later to make a narrow 6-3 lead at halftime suddenly comfortable. There were no more points as South Africa closed it down through set-piece dominance and physical defense to keep the game Scots at bay.
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South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse, left, scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Daniel Cole