Despite defeat, the display showcased strong battling qualities from the West Wallians who held their own against the more fancied play-off chasing South African province.
Man-of-the-match Handre Pollard proved to be the difference maker on the night, scoring 18 points, with a try and a series of successful kicks, including the decisive 79th-minute winning penalty to clinch the result, while wing Cheswill Jooste also crossed for a try.
Scarlets, however, would be punished for missing efforts off the tee with fly-half Joe Hawkins failing to convert any of the three tries scored by debutant Callum Wooley, centre Eddie James, and stand-in captain Fletcher Anderson.
It would prove to be the decisive factor and the catalyst to the second home heartbreak for Scarlets in successive weeks after they had conceded 21 late points to lose against Cardiff last time out.
“At this level, the margins are narrow, and we are working hard to make sure we are on the right side of these victories,” said Davies post-match.
“We are getting there. There were a couple of key moments in the game, but overall, I am just delighted with the players.
“I thought they were brave out there. They kept on going, and we executed the game plan really well, which gave us an opportunity to win the game. I am really, really pleased with the way the boys reacted to last week.
“In the main, I thought we managed the game well, maybe we didn’t switch to a different type of game plan when they were down to 13, the scrum at the end was another moment.
“But that is how it goes sometimes, particularly when you are a side still looking to find its feet. We are getting close, and that was a real statement of intent for where this team is going.
“We are moving forward, we are gradually knocking down all the things we are talking about, we have a real clear plan moving forward, and the boys are starting to execute on the field. There is a lot of hope to take from that performance.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
