Robinson delight at win

Andy Robinson
12 April 2012

Head coach Andy Robinson was overjoyed as Scotland claimed a fourth win in five Tests with a 21-17 victory over South Africa in the second EMC Autumn Test at Murrayfield.

Robinson was seeking a response from the 49-3 loss to New Zealand last weekend and he got it as the hosts edged a scrappy encounter laden with penalties and decided by the boot of Dan Parks.

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."

Parks, so often the hero in recent times, demonstrated his unerring accuracy, kicking six penalties and a drop goal to punish the Springboks' indiscipline on a wet day in Edinburgh.

Morne Steyn kicked four penalties and Willem Alberts crashed over for a try for the 2007 world champions, whose hopes of a Grand Slam are now over.

It was Scotland's first win over South Africa since 2002 and Robinson is thrilled how his team have performed in his tenure, which has featured wins over Australia, Ireland, Argentina and now the Springboks.

He added: "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 praised his whole squad and coaching staff - particularly defence coach Graham Steadman for the seven-day turnaround, second row Richie Gray and replacement back row Richie Vernon. Gray, who was winning his fifth cap and made his second start, took on Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, the most feared and revered second row partnership in world rugby, and came out on top.

"I think a number of young players have come of age," said Robinson. "I thought Richie Gray really stepped up, 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."

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