Scotland coach Scott Johnson slammed French referee Romain Poite following a 30-17 away loss to South Africa on Saturday.

The Australian was furious at the ‘handbags’ sin binning of lock Jim Hamilton just past the hour mark after he pushed his hands into the face of Springbok second-rower Eben Etzebeth.

Experienced Hamilton was sorely missed as he left the field with Scotland leading 17-13, and when he returned they were three points behind after South Africa were awarded a penalty try.

“The punishment did not fit the crime as it was handbags stuff – the yellow card ruined a great game,” Johnson told reporters after Scotland suffered a second successive defeat at the four-nation tournament.

“We were not playing tiddlywinks – rugby union is an aggressive sport. They have just asked me if I would like to cite anyone, so how about the television match official (TMO).”

Poite asked the TMO to study the incident before condemning Hamilton to 10 minutes sitting on the touchline watching Scotland give a brave showing in a Test they were expected to lose convincingly.

Ravaged by injuries after a 10-point loss to Samoa in Durban last weekend, a depleted Scottish side went at the Springboks from the kick-off and were 17-6 ahead at one stage of the second half.

“We had guys playing today who had no right to even be on the pitch,” he said, referring to forwards Euan Murray (tight-head prop) and Johnnie Beattie (back-rower).

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer was unhappy with his side even though the three-try victory sealed a June 22 final against Samoa, with Scotland playing Italy for third place in the first half of a Pretoria double-header.

“Scotland were written off all week and they came out to prove a point. They are a proud nation and their brave performance came as no surprise to me,” Meyer said.

“Although I am not happy with this performance the guys learnt a lot from the Test.

“They needed a game like this where you have to grind out a result before we go into the Rugby Championship.”