Scotland had 'massive opportunity' to beat South Africa as experts give 'untrained eye' explanation

Gregor Townsend’s side made 218 passes compared to the Springboks’ 79, had 527 meters made versus the host’s 385, made a whopping 17 line breaks against just four for their opponents and beat an incredible 47 defenders against the Boks’ 19. However, it was the numbers in the ‘Red Zone’ that proved the difference and resulted in the final score line.

Both teams had 12 entries into the Red Zone, referring to when the attacking team has the ball in their opponents 22 with a heightened chance of scoring, but South Africa had a success rate of 50 percent from there while Scotland managed just 33 percent. Ultimately, that is what contributed to the only numbers that mattered as the hosts ran in six tries at Loftus Versfeld to the visitors’ four.

“To the untrained eye” - former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar breaks down South Africa v Scotland statistics

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar explained how these statistics show that Scotland missed a big opportunity to record a first ever away win against the number one ranked side in the world. The three time Six Nations winner was speaking on ITV’s highlights show for the Nations Championship ‘The Debrief with Dan and ROG’.

He said: "When you look at some of the stats from yesterday, to the untrained eye, you'd think Scotland win that game by 20-25 points with the numbers of line breaks, defenders beaten, metres made, passes, territory, possession. It is a massive opportunity missed against second/third choice Springbok team, but they were brilliant in how they moved on.

“They move the ball into the 15s more than anybody, they put width to width on the game more than any other team and you see some of the examples of how they get into the red zone, it's just absolutely brilliant.

"[South Africa's] red zone efficiency and red zone success is that 50 per cent of the time that they got in there they scored and only 33 per cent of the time that Scotland got in there.”

‘Hugely frustrating’ - Ireland legend expects Scotland will have wanted more from Loftus Versfeld trip

He was joined by legendary former Ireland stand-off and Head Coach of French Top 14 side La Rochelle, Ronan O’Gara, who added: "From the mood in the Scottish camp, they've planned it all week, the alignment between the coaches and the leaders and the players, they've pulled them apart. Some brilliant rugby but not to finish it would be hugely frustrating where they have done nine tenths of it."

Scotland will conclude the Summer portion of their inaugural Nations Championship campaign at Murrayfield this Saturday. Fiji, who are classed as the ‘home’ team for the fixture, travel to Edinburgh before the competition goes on hiatus until November when Gregor Townsend’s side will play three more Tests in the Scottish capital and one in London as part of ‘Finals Weekend’.

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