Louis Koen was in clinical form for South Africa

Kicking metronome Louis Koen was again the hammer of the Scots as South Africa once more came from behind to claim victory.

The fly-half's boot proved to be the difference in Durban and it was the same story in the second Test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on Saturday.

Scotland looked capable of going one better than a much-praised 29-25 defeat after an Andy Craig try helped them to a 16-12 half-time lead.

But Koen's kicking kept the Springboks in touch until their greater power and experience at altitude started to tell, Stefan Terblanche's try giving them the initiative early after the break.

MATCH FACTS South Africa 28 Try: Terblanche Con: Koen Pens: Koen (6) Drop: Koen Scotland 19 Try: Craig Con: Paterson Pens: Paterson (4)

Scotland had stuck by the starting line-up that came so close to a famous victory in the first Test.

Joost van der Westhuyzen replaced Ricardo Loubscher at full-back in what was to prove a significant switch for South Africa, while Marius Joubert was at outside-centre in the place of the injured Andre Snyman.

South Africa made a more positive start than they had seven days previously.

But, with the Scots camped on their own line, Koen's pass was intercepted by Craig, who ran the full length of pitch before touching down.

Paterson added the simple coversion to give the visitors an unlikely early lead.

Scotland went further ahead on their next foray into the South African half.

Louis Koen was in clinical form for South Africa

But Paterson's penalty was immediately cancelled out from the kick-off, when Scott Murray was blatantly offside and Koen this time made no mistake with the boot.

The scrum-half reduced the arrears further with a successful drop-goal from the back of a well-controlled scrum.

But the South Africans again conceded from the kick-off and Paterson restored the seven-point advantage.

Scotland were now winning more than their fair share of possession, only to concede another penalty after 23 minutes that was again struck home by the clinical Koen.

A high tackle on Simon Taylor by Bakkies Botha allowed Paterson to score for the Scots moments later.

But a loose pass by Gregor Townsend put the Scots under pressure and another penalty conceded in the ruck allowed Koen to bring South Africa to within four points.

Joost van der Westhuizen made an important return

Scotland finished the first half camped in the South African half.

But, despite several incisive runs by Glen Metcalfe, they were unable to seriously threaten the South African line.

They paid for that in the opening moments of the second half.

Man-of-the-match Van der Westhuyzen was allowed to gather an up-and-under from Townsend unchallenged and the full-back charged into a forward run that led to South Africa's vital try.

Willemse and Joubert exchanged passes before putting Terblanche clear to score in the corner.

Koen's convertion put South Africa ahead for the first time, then he extended the lead with a monster kick from his own half.

The home side's indiscipline immediately gifted Paterson another penalty in front of the their posts as the Scots remained in touch.

But South Africa simply upped the pressure at the other end and Koen slotted home two more penalties, the second again from his own half, as the home side again emerged relieved winners over the tiring Scots.

South Africa: van der Westhuyzen, Terblanche, Joubert, Halstead, Willemse, Koen, van der Westhuizen, Sephaka, Coetzee, Bands, Botha, Matfield, Gerber, van Heerden, Wannenburg.
Replacements: Kempson, Visagie, Boome, Smith, Davidson, Bobo, Russell.

Scotland: G. Metcalfe, Paterson, Craig, Henderson, Logan, Townsend, Redpath, G. Kerr, Bulloch, Douglas, Murray, Hines, White, Mower, Taylor.
Replacements: Russell, McIlwham, Petrie, Leslie, Blair, G. Ross, Laney.

Referee: Scott Young (Australia)