Cotter urges Scotland to believe
Scotland coach Vern Cotter urged his player to "focus on belief" as they face a decisive clash with Samoa next weekend.
Vern Cotter has called on Scotland to show more self-belief following their 34-16 Rugby World Cup defeat to South Africa on Saturday.
Scotland headed into their third game of the tournament on the back of victories over Japan and United States which put them top of Pool B.
But they came unstuck at St James' Park as a powerful Springboks side showed they have put their stunning defeat to Japan to the back of their minds by to take over at the summit with one game remaining.
Schalk Burger and JP Pietersen scored tries in a first half which the Springboks dominated to take a 20-3 lead at the break, with Bryan Habana then going over in the second half after a Tommy Seymour try had given Scotland hope.
Scotland return to Newcastle next weekend knowing a victory over Samoa - who are unable to reach the last eight after losing to Japan - will put them through.
And Cotter expects his players to back themselves more than they did against a dominant South Africa side.
"We will question why we don't have the confidence to start well," he said.
"We need to focus on our belief and what we can achieve. Samoa will be a physical challenge, like this was.
"It matters to them, they will want to finish well. We might send them some crates of beer!"
Cotter revealed that Stuart Hogg was replaced as he was suffering from cramp and a tight back.