Leaving is easy for Dunc

Duncan Hodge couldn't wait to get back to Scotland today after being treated too much like a local in South Africa.

A year ago Hodge was offered a big-money deal by top province Northern Transvaal after his great form in the Students' World Cup.

And he has revelled in African conditions again, playing through five of Scotland's six tour matches, including all three wins.

But matters almost went too far as he led his side to victory on his first outing as captain, during Friday's superb 36-10 win.

Having put over a first-minute penalty before Scotland went 5-3 behind to an opportunist try, Hodge missed two shots at goal.

"I was lining up to take the next one when I heard a voice shout 'Miss this one and you'll get a game for the Springboks'," he laughed.

He may be very much at home in those conditions, but Hodge isn't that keen on South Africa.

"I didn't fancy that so I thought I'd better stick it over," he said.

He went on to score 21 points, a fine effort in driving wind and rain.

Indeed, Scotland upped their game in all departments, working hard to keep possession.

"In one passage of play alone we recycled the ball 15 times.

"We had to make sure we controlled the ball. That was the key to getting the reward for the work we put in.

"That performance was up there with our win over Northern Transvaal last week.

"We completely outplayed them after a slightly shaky start, and apart from a breakaway try early in the second half they never looked like scoring again."

But forwards' coach Hugh Campbell shook his head with mock exasperation after that exemplary display of ball-retention in such hostile weather.

Because turn-overs are what cost Scotland dear in the tour matches they lost against Gauteng Falcons and Mpumalanga.

"Maybe they just concentrate better when the ball is harder to handle," Campbell suggested.

"At least that shows them what they are capable of.

"But I think they've learned a lot over the past three weeks and it's hardened a lot of people up."

Centre Ronnie Ericksson, another who battled through five of the six matches, reckons Scotland are doing things British Lions style.

"When Tony Stanger returned to the squad after his stint with the Lions he was asked to give us a brief talk about it," he said.

"What came through strongly was that the Lions and Scotland are on the same wavelength.

"And that was very beneficial, not only for the coaches but for the players too.

"They told us it was a hard school and I've certainly learned a lot," he admitted.

Ericksson's fellow London Scot Simon Holmes has underlined his potential with a superb tour at the age of 30.

He said: "It was nice to be involved in this after playing for Scotland A last season.

"At Wasps I was just playing around, and it was joining London Scottish that got me involved in the Scotland squad.

"I was out of the game for 18 months through injury so I don't have as many miles on the clock as most 30-year-olds," he added.

Meanwhile the Scotland squad ran into a double delay on the way to Johannesburg's Ellis Park to watch yesterday's final Test.

First the bus to Port Elizabeth Airport was late, almost causing them to miss their flight, then the plane was delayed by half an hour - eventually dropping them off at the wrong terminal!

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