Kwagga Smith reflects on special 50th Test at Murrayfield

It was the opening match of the Boks' 2024 Castle Lager Outgoing Tour and they scored four tries without reply against a resilient Scotland team that proved a handful on the day.

Smith, who is one of a select group of players who represented both the Blitzboks and Springboks, was delighted about the achievement and said the victory made the occasion even more special for him.

"Playing at Murrayfield and getting a win in my 50th game was very special," said Smith.

"I thought Scotland played very well, and unfortunately, we made a lot of mistakes. But for the boys to pull it through and get the result was memorable and it's a real honour to mark the occasion with this team."

Looking back on his journey from the national sevens team to the Springboks, where he is now one of several double Rugby World Cup winners in the touring squad, Smith said: "Playing sevens and going to the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, as well as playing 35 tournaments for the Blitzboks was fantastic, but then one sets your next goal, and I wanted to be a Springbok.

"I didn't think I'd get to 50 Test matches, so it's an honour and special to give something back to this team."

Utility back Canan Moodie, who played his first Test at the iconic venue, also reflected on the match on Monday.

Moodie has also been making a strong statement in the team at wing and centre in the last few seasons. He lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in France last year at the young age of only 20 years old. The rising star was equally delighted about the victory in his first Test match in Edinburgh.

"It was a good win for us, especially for me personally, since I haven't played in five weeks," said Moodie.

"It was my first game at Murrayfield, and it was very exciting to play there. It was another bucket list venue ticked off for me, and over and above that the atmosphere was very special, with a lot of South Africans coming out to support us, so it was very special.

"And then obviously scoring four tries and not leaking one, is something we are very pleased about."

With a massive Test lined up against England at the Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday, Moodie said the victory gave them valuable momentum going into the next Test.

"It's a short turnaround to the England match, so we have to prepare well for that, but we'll take confidence from that result (against Scotland). It was a tough first half, but the win was a good start to the tour," said Moodie.

The Springboks made the journey from Scotland to London on Monday and will begin training for their next assignment against England on Tuesday. They will complete their tour on Saturday, 23 November, against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.