Scotland thrash Australia; Springboks surge
EDINBURGH: Scotland romped to a record 53-24 victory over 14-man Australia at Murrayield on Saturday, as a 39 th-minute red card for tight head prop Sekope Kepu led to an eight-try thrashing.
Australia’s ill-discipline proved costly again, after the Wallabies had captain Michael Hooper and full-back Kurtley Beale yellow-carded in the 30-6 loss to England at Twickenham last week, while head coach Michael Cheika was subjected to a World Rugby investigation because of his reaction. This time Cheika could have had no complaints when Kepu was sent off by French referee Pascal Gauzere after clearly smashing a forearm flush into the face of Scotland flanker Hamish Watson at a ruck.
Australia were 12-10 ahead at the time but with 14 men they conceded six tries -- making seven in total -- before they were reduced to 13 players in the 78th minute and Scotland crossed again. Townsend’s team ended up smashing both their record margin of victory against the Wallabies (previously nine points in a 24-15 victory in 1981) and their highest points tally against the men in green and gold (34 in their controversial 35-34 World Cup quarter-final defeat in 2015).
SA PREVAIL
South Africa crushed Italy 35-6 in cold, wet and sombre conditions in Padua on Saturday to avenge last year’s historic defeat by the Azzurri.
Five tries from Francois Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Francois Venter, Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert sealed a comfortable victory.
Elsewhere, England defeated Samoa 48-14.