The Springboks gear up for Scotland at Murrayfield

Two victors from the last round, South Africa and Scotland, will test their mettle against one another on the turf at Murrayfield in what is expected to be a cracker of an encounter.  

A superb display from the forwards carried the Boks home against Wales last weekend in their first win in Cardiff for some years.  

The Scots were nothing short of energetic and fantastic against the Wallabies last week and, while the match was a close one, deserved their 15-13 victory. 

Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes from the starting XV that scalped Dave Rennie’s men; two in the backline and two up front.  

The lethal Rufus McLean returns on the wing while Leicester Tigers’ Matt Scott takes his place in the inside centre channel. 

In the forwards,  Nick Haining comes into the back row while Stuart McInally will don the number 2 jersey.  

“Sunday’s result against Australia was another positive step in the evolution of this team, but there is more to come from this group. And we’ll have to raise our level of performance on Saturday against the world champions. 

“We know what to expect from the Springboks in how they play and the physicality they will bring across the team. We have therefore selected a side that we believe can both meet that challenge and give us the platform to impose our game on the opposition. It should be a full-blooded contest and will require an intensity and focus across our 23-man squad for the full 80 minutes. 

“As a playing and coaching group we took a huge amount of energy from the crowd at BT Murrayfield through their outstanding support against Australia. We can’t wait to get back out in front of our people again this weekend.” 

Saturday’s fixture is set to be another sell-out and the Scots will be extra hyped up as they attempt to do a number on the world champions with some winning momentum behind them.  

However, as touched on by Townsend, the display of physicality from the Springbok forwards – which rattled the Welsh – last week will be in the back of the Scots’ minds. In light of this, it is an intriguing on Townsend’s part to have left Scotland and British & Irish Lions flanker Hamish Watson on the bench, unless he means him to inject some energy into the forward pack later on.  

In the Springbok camp, It is potentially a particularly special occasion for Frans Steyn who, if given a cap from the bench, will edge Victor Matfield as the player with the longest Springbok career by becoming the first South African to play Test rugby over 15 calendar years. 

Steyn has enjoyed a noteworthy career which has spanned the rugby world and is still held in high regard by Springbok management. 

“Playing international rugby for 15 years is an extraordinary achievement and what makes this feat even more remarkable is that Frans continues to show his class despite being at the twilight of his career,” Nienaber said. 

“His influence is equally valuable off the field and it is fantastic to have a player of his calibre guide the young players in the squad.” 

In addition to this, workhorse Franco Mostert and speedster Jesse Kriel will win their 50th caps for their country.  

Nienaber continued: 

“Scotland will be a force to be reckoned with at Murrayfield, so it was important for us to maintain continuity within our squad, while at the same time celebrating Jesse and Franco’s 50th caps and giving Elton a chance to start,” said Nienaber. 

“Elton has been training very well since the squad assembled before the Castle Lager Lions Series and he’s performed well every time he earned a run, so we thought it was the right time to hand him a start. 

“It will be a special day for Jesse and Franco as they run out for their 50th Tests at Murrayfield. They are both fantastic servants of the game and their high work ethic and true team attitude make them vital members of our squad, and we are all delighted to see them achieve this feat.” 

The end of a jam-packed season draws near for the World Champion Springboks and they can expect to be tested by a hyped up Scottish outfit. The game will be one and lost up-front, making it an interesting contest as both packs of forwards have shown a high degree of competence in that area. The Boks have the size advantage, but they can be out-done by the flair of the Scots?