Scotland captain Rory Lawson said team spirit was the key to his side's 21-17 victory against South Africa on Saturday.
Scotland skipper praises team togetherness
Scotland captain Rory Lawson said team spirit was the key to his side's 21-17 victory against world champions South Africa on Saturday.
Fly-half Dan Parks kicked six penalties and a drop goal at Murrayfield as Scotland bounced back in style from last weekend's 49-3 loss to New Zealand.
Lawson, who was making his first appearance as skipper, praised the whole team after they adapted better to conditions made difficult by persistent rain.
He told the
BBC: "Those conditions were really brutal out there today.
"It was all about field position today and we got the upper hand on that. It was all about being together and working hard for each other."
Man of the match John Barclay said Scotland were determined to make up for last weekend's heavy defeat.
He said: "I think after last week we were so bitterly disappointed.
"This is a step in the right direction. The belief is so strong, (we are) a very tight squad. We knew if we could play to our abilities we could win these games."
Morne Steyn kicked four penalties and Willem Alberts crashed over for a try for South Africa but the 2007 world champions ultimately fell short.
Delighted
Scotland coach Andy Robinson said: "We're hugely delighted with the victory.
"This victory is achieved by the players and the mindset they've brought into the week that they're able to take on anybody.
"There's something brewing but there's a lot of hard work to go on. Every time we perform we've got to be at our very best.
"We'll go step by step. We've got a long way to go. We've got to keep our feet on the ground because we play Samoa next week and that's going to be a tough game for us."
Robinson reserved particular praise for defence coach Graham Steadman, second row Richie Gray and replacement back row Richie Vernon.
Gray, who was making his second start, was undaunted by the prospect of facing Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha - the most feared and revered second row partnership in world rugby - and arguably came out on top.
"I think a number of young players have come of age today," said Robinson.
"I thought Richie Gray really stepped up today, particularly when Scott MacLeod went off (with a rib injury).
"The pressure he put on the South African lineout, his defensive work and the hits he put in, but also some of his ball carries."
Under pressure
After watching his side's Grand Slam hopes disappear, South Africa head coach Peter de Villiers said: "Obviously we're really disappointed.
"The things that worked for us in the past few games - getting our first-phase ball and holding onto it - we didn't do those kind of things today.
"Scotland made use of it much better than us on the night, so well done to them."
Springboks captain Matfield was also unhappy with the performance.
"It's tough," he said. "We were probably under pressure. Everyone wants us to play more expansive, but with the weather the way it was it didn't allow us to.
"You can't play a lot of rugby, so it was all about the guys making the least mistakes and putting the other team under pressure."
