The Springboks will be wary of taking the Scots too lightly, but with several key players absent it will take a mighty effort indeed from the home side to win.
SCOTLAND vs SOUTH AFRICA
Sunday, November 17, 15:00 GMT, Edinburgh
Finishing off the weekend with a bang, the Springboks will be looking to rack up the points against a pretty average looking Scottish side. Though last week’s scoreline didn’t quite reflect their domination, Scott Johnson will be very cognisant of the South African forwards who gave their Welsh counterparts a real going-over. Appropriately the Scots have beefed up their pack, though there are a couple question marks in terms of class.
The plus-sized pairing of Richie Gray and Jim Hamilton is recalled to the second row, with Richie’s younger brother Jonny looking to make his debut from the bench at the age of 19. Captain Kelly Brown is rested to allow John Barclay a shot at the no7 jersey, and both props are changed with Alasdair Dickinson and Moray Low handed starts. Dickinson in particular has been criticized in the past for his perceived deficiencies in the scrum, something the Boks will be all too eager to test out early on.
Greig Laidlaw wears the captains armband for this match, and he will be delivering to the same backline as a week ago bar one change. Matt Scott’s broken hand gives Saracens utility back Duncan Taylor his first full cap at centre. Nick De Luca’s experience beside him will be vital as the South African midfield will be targeting the new man on set moves.
An unlikely recall for Bakkies Botha was a highlight of the Springbok touring squad announcement, and the big man gets his first crack at international rugby in two years in a match that could well determine whether he is considered in the plans for the next World Cup. His inclusion means Eben Etzebeth slides to the bench, where Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira also await after being rotated out for Adriaan Strauss and Gurthro Steenkamp respectively.
The only change in the backline seens Patrick Lambie continue where he left off last test at flyhalf, with Morne Steyn just declared fit enough to take a spot in the reserves. Marcell Coetzee will cover the back row in place of Siya Kolisi, who in turn may yet start on the flank as an injury cloud hovers over Willem Alberts. Winger J.P. Pietersen will lead the team out onto the pitch as he wins his 50th career test cap.
For whatever reason Scotland always seem to play their best rugby against South Africa, but as France proved last week playing well does not necessarily ensure victory. Man-for-man the Springboks are superior at nearly every position, and their only losses in ten matches this year have been to the world-leading All Blacks. Expect this match to be similar to the game in Nelspruit in June, with the Boks made to work hard but ultimately coming away victories by a 12 point margin.
Referee: Jerome Garces (FFR)
Assistants: Pascal Gauzere (FFR) & Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)
