LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland breaks past Mark Wilson of England to score his sides first try during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on February 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Duhan van der Merwe score helps Scotland to historic win over England
A Scotland side with a strong South African influence earned a famous 11-6 victory over England at Twickenham with Duhan van der Merwe scoring the only try.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland breaks past Mark Wilson of England to score his sides first try during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on February 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
South African-born Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe helped his adopted nation to a historic victory over England at Twickenham.
In a match that had no small South African influence with Oli Kebble and WP Nel coming on in the second half adding much-needed grit to Gregor Townsend’s side’s pack.
SA-born Duhan van der Merwe helps Scotland win Calcutta Cup
Van der Merwe powered over for the score just before the half-hour mark, reward for an excellent start by the visitors who hadn’t won at Twickenham since 1983.
The brother of Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe produced a strong finish to give Scotland what proved to be a decisive advantage.
A Finn Russell penalty had given Scotland a 3-0 lead but they had the better of the first half hour and when England’s Billy Vunipola was sin-binned after persistent infringements by Eddie Jones’ side, it seemed inevitable they would score.
After Scotland went out to an 8-0 lead with van der Merwe’s try which was created by man of the match Stuart Hogg, England pulled back with two penalty goals to cut the Scot’s lead to two at half-time.
Russell restored a five-point advantage with a penalty early in the second half.
England threw everything they had at Scotland but they would not be breached and a late turnover allowed them to boot the ball into touch to secure an 11-6 victory.
Worth the wait! ?
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 6, 2021
Scotland are the winners of the 2021 #CalcuttaCup ??????? ?#GuinnessSixNations #ENGvSCO pic.twitter.com/HXIv5YrLtk
Teams
Teams (15-1)
England
Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Jonny May; Owen Farrell (capt), Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry, Mark Wilson; Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje; Will Stuart, Jamie George, Ellis Genge
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Beno Obano, Harry Williams, Courtney Lawes, Ben Earl, Dan Robson, George Ford, Max Malins
Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS)
Scotland
Stuart Hogg (capt); Sean Maitland, Chris Harris, Cameron Redpath, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie; Jonny Gray, Scott Cummings; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Rory Sutherland
Replacements: David Cherry, Oli Kebble, WP Nel, Richie Gray, Gary Graham, Scott Steele, Jaco van de Walt, Huw Jones
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRL)
