Beefy Boks just too good, says White
'We need to work on our technique'
It is back to the drawing board for Scotland after the 20-point (36-16) hammering they took against South African in the first of two tests in Durban on Saturday. Scottish captain Jason White readily admits that his men will have to take a huge step in the return match in Port Elizabeth next week.
White said they (Scotland), had set out to give the Boks a good game, but they were simply overpowered by the sheer size and physical presence of the gargantuan South African forwards.
"We wanted to come here to compete and win the game," White said in his post-match reaction.
"But in the forwards the Boks had too much power. We didn't get enough good first phase ball and that disrupted us. We just couldn't build and phases, because we didn't get any first phase ball."
Scotland's biggest problems were in the scrums, where they were constantly on the back foot, penalised and conceded a feed against the head.
White admitted they have a lot of work to do in this department.
"The Boks have some massive, massive forwards and we need to work on our technique and improve it for next week."
He also pointed to South Africa's proud home record and said they are always difficult to beat in the Republic.
"Like any nation they are very proud to play at home and they're not going to give up their home record very easy," he said about a two-year 12-match unbeaten run by the Boks.
He repeated that a lot of "hard work" awaits Scotland before next week's second test.
"We scored a try [late in the match], which is a great development for us.
"But South Africa are No.2 in the world rankings and we are No.8. We have to keep developing and learn how to play well on the road and take that forward to the world cup."
