Andrea Marcato's last-minute drop goal handed Scotland their fourth defeat in this year's RBS 6 Nations - but Frank Hadden's men avoided a second successive wooden spoon by the skin of their teeth.
It was a popular pre-tournament tip to be this season's RBS 6 Nations title decider - but England and Ireland are playing only for pride at Twickenham on Saturday.
Five years to the day after Martin Johnson lifted the World Cup, South Africa served his England team a punishing reminder just how far they are from reaching those heights again with a 42-6 thrashing.
England were forced into a late front-row change when destructive loose-head prop Andrew Sheridan dropped out of the side to face South Africa with a neck injury.
Danny Care believes England rugby manager Martin Johnson will reap the reward for keeping faith in his new boys when they take on world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
Full-back Rory Lamont has been ruled out of Scotland's final RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy after breaking a bone in his face in the victory over England.
Ireland survived a potentially-fraught encounter at Croke Park this afternoon to guarantee their inclusion among the second seeds at the 2011 World Cup draw, with a 17-3 victory over Argentina.
Aberdeen-born Nikki Walker crossed for two tries as Scotland ended their Autumn Test series in encouraging fashion with an emphatic 40-0 victory over Canada side at Pittodrie.
Wales suffered a 20th successive defeat against New Zealand after All Blacks superstar Dan Carter inspired an imperious second-half revival to take a 29-9 victory.