Scotland were beaten by the better team in their 34-16 Rugby World Cup defeat to South Africa, according to Scotland flanker David Denton.

The Springboks turned in a dominant first-half display to go in 20-3 up at the break and, although Scotland did show improvements in the second half, they were unable to swing the scoreline in their favour.

"That was tough," Zimbabwe-born Denton said. "South Africa came out and they played like a team.

"They were very good and we should have been better, but they didn't let us play our game.

"We couldn't play the expansive game we like to play. We got back in the game but let it slip. 

"We didn't own the physical game but we didn't back down. We were beaten by a better team.

"It's not that we weren't expecting it or we were under-prepared for it. First half we didn't do enough. We didn't get beyond the gain line."

The result leaves Scotland one point adrift of South Africa at the top of Pool B, while Japan are a further two points behind.

Vern Cotter's men take on the already-eliminated Samoa in their final pool fixture but Denton does not expect an easy ride.

"We've got everything to gain and everything to lose, so it's going to be a big game for us," he added. "If it was us [in Samoa's shoes] we'd want to end on a high. We'd want to go out guns blazing.

"We came out too slow. It'll be important we come out fast."