Here was as an ominous warning to England from north of the border, as South Africa came through a scare and a thunderous tune-up at Murrayfield, ahead of their arrival in London.
Rassie Erasmus’s world champions were pushed to the precipice by a ferociously physical Scottish performance, before a late flex which showed what a formidable force they are.
Having deployed their Bomb Squad en masse shortly after half-time, the Springboks withstood an onslaught from Gregor Townsend’s side, but survived the uncomfortable experience.
Just after the hour, a fifth penalty from Finn Russell reduced South Africa’s lead to just four points and it was Scotland – forced to play 20 minutes of the opening half with 14 men when Scott Cummings was given a yellow card which was upgraded to a red – who were on the charge.
But Lukhanyo Am won a crucial turn-over penalty and the centre’s vital intervention seemed to shift the whole mood of the match.
Captain Sione Tuipulotu says Scotland are getting closer to toppling one of the leading sides
Finn Russell kicked all of Scotland’s points in their 32-15 defeat by the Springboks
Scotland’s Ben White thought he had scored a try but play was brought back for a knock-on
Soon after, Leicester fly-half Handre Pollard landed another shot at goal which put the visitors seven points up and the door had closed on the prospect of a momentous upset.
Pollard struck another penalty before ex-Tigers No 8 Jasper Wiese barged over for a try from another dominant Bok scrum a minute from the end.
Eben Etzebeth, the victors’ captain and tone-setting man of the match, said: ‘It was a great performance from the guys and a good tough one (match) to start with.’
The Springboks will now head south to prepare for their latest assignment at Twickenham, buoyed by the way they fought their way out of a tight corner.
And it was mighty tight at times. But what South Africa had was what they always have; a primal fury about their play and an endless procession of massive specimens capable of inflicting damage on the opposition.
There was one particular moment when the stars aligned and they demonstrated exactly what they are all about. Five minutes before half-time, armed with a narrow lead, Erasmus’s men was awarded a scrum deep in Scottish territory.
First, their pack surged forwards to create a prime platform, then former Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen – who was superb throughout this win – blazed a route-one trail through midfield.
Behind the deadly Springbok scrum, the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Aphelele Fassi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were held back by Erasmus
Eben Etzebeth said that the 17-point margin of victory at Murrayfield flattered South Africa
Gregor Townsend’s Scotland team have been unable to crack the game’s toughest nuts
Erasmus was acutely aware of the need to rotate his squad due to the six-day turn-around between this fixture and the showdown with England
After the muscle came the magic. Willie Le Roux aimed a clever chip towards the left flank, where wing Makazole Mapimpi arced round, claimed the catch and crossed to score his second try. It was a potent blend of force and artistry, which is just what the Boks have stood for this year.
For an England team who have often been all at sea in defence over the last two weekends, there was very little good news from Edinburgh.
South Africa made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes, but it felt as if they were clearing the cobwebs. The normally reliable lineout endured a few malfunctions and handling was sloppy at times, but this match will have cleared some gremlins from the system.
Scotland made the Boks work mighty hard for this win and the scoreline was harsh on them. The visitors only secured a try shut-out because a lightning strike by Townsend’s side just before half-time was scrubbed out when replays highlighted a knock-on in the build-up.
Later, just before the hour, Huw Jones produced another blistering break which deserved a positive outcome, but South Africa were able to scramble and see off the danger.
Erasmus was acutely aware of the need to rotate his squad due to the six-day turn-around between this fixture and the showdown with England, so the really ominous issue for the embattled Steve Borthwick is that they will face a very different, stronger line-up next weekend.
Regular captain Siya Kolisi and fellow back-rowers Pieter-Steph du Toit and Wiese were among those deployed from the bench at Murrayfield.
Behind the deadly Springbok scrum, the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Aphelele Fassi and Kurt-Lee Arendse were held back by Erasmus, so they will be primed to add even more pace and creativity against England.
South Africa’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign has left them with remarkable depth in all areas
South African fans celebrated loudly at Murrayfield last night as the green-and-gold juggernaut moves forward to next weekend’s England test
All the experimentation which took place during South Africa’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign has left them with remarkable depth in all areas.
They could name two entirely different sides for next Saturday and would believe they could win with either of them.
As their hordes of fans celebrated loudly at Murrayfield on Sunday night, the green-and-gold juggernaut had ploughed through a hefty Scottish roadblock and is now motoring again.
At this stage, it looks unstoppable.
