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Duhan van der Merwe made history as he became Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer.
The Edinburgh winger sauntered over the line midway through the first half in this hard-fought win over Uruguay in Montevideo.
It was the South African-born player’s 28th try for his adopted country, moving him one ahead of Stuart Hogg.
Gregor Townsend’s side duly won their fourth and final match of this Americas tour but made heavy weather of it for long spells as their hosts pushed them all the way.
After a spell of Uruguay pressure, a maul drove Ewan Ashman over for the first try of the match for Scotland.
Diego Arbelo was shown a yellow card for cynically trying to break up a Scotland attack and a few phases later the visitors had their second try, a first for his country for Luke Crosbie.
Duhan van der Merwe’s first-half try was his 28th for Scotland, taking him clear of Stuart Hogg
Scotland players celebrate their latest victory after taking the scalps of USA, Canada and Chile
Scotland centre Stafford McDowall breaks free of the intentions of Uruguay’s Tomas Inciarte
Van der Merwe then made history when Kyle Rowe selflessly fed his fellow winger to dot down.
Scotland looked in control but a sloppy end to the first half allowed Uruguay to score twice and make it just a five-point game at the break.
The first came from a Healy mistake, the No 10 throwing the intercept pass to Santiago Alvarez who had anticipated his intentions.
That gave the hosts a shot of confidence and Felipe Etcheverry burst through for Uruguay’s second try before striking the post with another poor penalty attempt.
The hosts, though, drew level when Manuel Diana barged over and should have gone in front only for Etcheverry to miss the conversion.
That proved costly when Patrick Harrison and then Pierre Schoeman scored from close range to spare Scotland’s blushes.
Townsend said: ‘I’m delighted for Duhan. It wasn’t as free flowing a game as we’ve had earlier on the tour which meant he didn’t get as many touches today. But he finished his try well and we’re all delighted for him. It’s an amazing achievement in such a short space of time.’
SCORERS; Uruguay: Tries: S Alvarez, Etcheverry, Diana. Con: Etcheverry 2.
Scotland: Tries: Ashman, Crosbie, Van der Merwe, Harrison, Schoeman. Con: Healy 2, Hastings.
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