Scotland’s Dutch-born winger Tim Visser scored two tries on debut and flyhalf Greig Laidlaw contributed 22 points as the tourists beat Fiji 37-25 in a one-off rugby Test on Saturday.

Visser’s second try in the 77th minute clinched Scotland’s win after Fiji had come from 27-11 down in the 45th minute to trail by only two points, 27-25, with 15 minutes remaining.

Laidlaw scored a try and kicked four conversions and three penalties to keep Scotland in front, ensuring they avoided a repeat of a 51-26 loss to Fiji in Suva in 1998.

Scotland overcame hot and humid conditions at Lautoka’s Churchill Park and a display of typical backline brilliance from Fiji to post their second win on their southern hemisphere tour after a 9-6 victory over Australia 12 days ago.

In six meetings between the teams, Scotland have won on five occasions and Fiji only once.

Scotland were able to control the match through strong set-piece play and an accurate kicking game guided by Laidlaw.

“We’re pleased to win,” Scotland captain Ross Ford said.

“We knew how tough Fiji would be. They’re very dangerous on counter-attack and they showed us that today.

“They scored some very good tries, they’re very dangerous and we had to be on our toes the whole game.”

The respective captains, Ford for Scotland and Netani Talei for Fiji, were teammates until last season with Edinburgh.

“I take my hat off to the boys, we played really well,” Talei said.

“We tried to improve on our last few games and I think we did.

“We still lacked a little bit in terms of playing for 80 minutes. We slacked off a little bit but I’m still very happy with the way the boys played, amazing.”

Scotland next play Samoa in Apia while Fiji face Tonga next Saturday in the final match of the Pacific Nations Cup.