The win took South Africa ahead of the Scots in Pool B as they took a new step back from the brink after their devastating loss to Japan in their first match.
Schalk Burger, JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana scored tries to bring the match alive in front of more than 50,000 people at Newcastle. But Pollard’s deadly accuracy secured the key points.
Scotland staged an heroic comeback in the second half after trailing 20-3 at the break and twice hauled themselves to within seven points against theSpringboks.
But each time Pollard denied them the chance for what could have been be a crucial losing bonus point, landing a drop goal the first time and a 50-metre penalty the second time.
It was the first defeat in the tournament for the Scots and for South Africa it made their pathway from Pool B to the play-offs more clear.
The opening loss to Japan has been put behind them as they improved to two wins from three games, the same as Scotland and Japan who posted their second win when they ended Samoa’s long-shot hopes earlier Saturday.
With South Africa and Japan still to play the United States, and Scotland’s final game is against Samoa, the pool could well be decided on bonus points.
South Africa, who missed an attacking bonus point against Scotland have three, Scotland two and Japan nil.
Scrum-half Fourie du Preez, stepping up to captain South Africa after the inspirational Jean de Villiers suffered a career ending broken jaw against Samoa, directed play with surety.
