Alasdair Strokosch scored a try after the siren and Greig Laidlaw converted to give Scotland a 30-29 win over Italy on Saturday in the play-off for third in the four-nation rugby tournament in South Africa.

The dramatic climax atoned for a lot of scrappy play at sun-drenched Loftus Versfeld between a couple of weary Six Nations championship sides at the end of an 11-month season.

Scotland camped deep in Italian territory as the clock ticked away and, after a 17-phase movement failed to reap any reward, flanker Strokosch broke from a scrum and punished slack marking to go over beside the posts.

Captain and scrum-half Laidlaw converted for a 15-point contribution and his play at scrum-half, and later fly-half, earned him the man-of-the-match award.

“We never gave up and all credit to the boys,” said Laidlaw, sporting a cut above his left eye from an accidental kick by rival skipper and Italy No.8 Sergio Parisse.

“This tour was all about strengthening the depth of the Scottish squad and I thought the new caps and some relative newcomers to the line-up performed brilliantly.”

Parisse was downbeat after a third consecutive tournament defeat: “The way we lost is really disappointing. Once again we dominated the scrums, but we have to improve in other areas.”

Italy’s sole try came after 52 seconds through debutant right wing Leonardo Sarto while Scotland managed three with Matt Scott and Sean Lamont preceding Strokosch’s effort.