 Hadden is proud of Scotland's efforts in Port Elizabeth |
Head coach Frank Hadden was fuming after Scotland were denied two possible tries by match officials in the 29-15 defeat to South Africa. Simon Webster was had a try ruled out for knock-on and Chris Paterson's run for the line was disallowed after the same infringement from the same player.
"I thought we played well enough to win the game," Hadden told BBC Sport.
"Who would have thought that the number two side in the world would have needed a couple of dodgy decisions to win?"
Webster, who scored the first of Scotland's two tries, came close to a second score before half-time when the video referee ruled there had been a knock-on when he ran on to his own chip.
In the second period, Paterson had dashed clear on the interception to bag what looked like a crucial score.
 | Every debatable decision went against us |
But English referee Tony Spreadbury ruled that Webster had committed a knock-on almost a minute earlier close to his own line.
The ref had not only stretched the use of the advantage rule to its extreme - it also seemed as if Webster had fingertipped the ball backwards in the first place.
So, instead of awarding Scotland a try, the Boks were given a scrum five metres out - and seconds later, Fourie du Preez wriggled over for the home side's only touchdown.
Scotland lost the first Test 36-16 but gave a much better account of themselves in Port Elizabeth.
"They bullied us last weekend," added Hadden. "So it was all about taking the game to them this time.
"We may have failed to become the first side to come down here and win but that doesn't take away from a hugely courageous and brave effort.
"But at the end of the day, the Springboks had every bounce of the ball - and every debatable decision went against us."
Scotland skipper Jason White added: "We fronted up physically, but the important decisions seemed to go against us.
"Chris was convinced he had scored - and so was Simon at the end of the first half when a knock-on was ruled immediately before he touched down.
"It will be very interesting when we sit down and take a long look at the video reruns.
"We didn't win - but the performance certainly bodes well for the future."
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