Lisa Thomson and Emma Wassell, two of Scotland’s most experienced players, are back in the starting line-up to face South Africa on Friday after being substitutes in the recent friendly win over Spain.
Second-row forward Wassell was making her way back from injury at the time, while inside centre Thomson had been absent on GB Sevens duty, hence their omission from the 15 that began the 36-5 victory at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. This time round, however, Bryan Easson believes he will need their experience and their physicality for the opening game of the new WXV2 tournament in Stellenbosch.
“Lisa and Emma are two influential players that we know are bringing a bit of experience,” the head coach said after naming his squad for the match at the Danie Craven Stadium. “Both have over 50 caps, and especially when you’re playing a country like South Africa in South Africa you need players who understand what that feels like.
“We were out here in 2019 and played two Tests against them, so we know what to expect. South Africa are a very physical side; they’re very abrasive. Lisa and Emma are both physical players.”
Louise McMillan and Meryl Smith drop to the bench to make way for Wassell and Thomson respectively, and they are joined in the replacements by Jade Konkel. The back-row forward missed out on the Spain game through injury, and, with matches to come on successive Fridays against the United States and Japan, Easson saw no need to rush her back.
“Jade has been working really hard,” he said. “I think it’s important that we give her the opportunity to come back, but let’s not force it, let’s not push too hard. It’s just the last couple of weeks that she’s been able to do everything in training. We just felt that it was the right thing for her just to give her some time off the bench.”
Eva Donaldson drops out of the squad to make way for Konkel. Coreen Grant, who broke her finger in training shortly before the Spain match, is the only one of the 30-strong Scotland squad who was unavailable for selection for this game.
South Africa coach Louis Koen has welcomed back four experienced players from injury. Scrum-half Tayla Kinsey, No 8 Aseza Hele, hooker Lindelwa Gwala and loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie all missed the recent warm-up games against Kenya and Samoa. “The four returnees bring valuable experience and also come in fresh after working hard to get back to match fitness,” he said, adding that he expects the visitors to provide “a real challenge” for his team.
“They are improving with rapid strides and had some great wins in the Six Nations earlier in the year. They play with a lot of pace, they have a good kicking game and are well coached and organised, so this is going to be a real challenge for us.
“We will be tested, but that is what we need. We want these games and more of them to improve and build towards our goal to become a top-five side in the world. This will be a perfect opportunity to see where we are in our growth and progress.”
The South Africans are currently 12th in the World Rugby rankings, three places below Easson’s team. Scotland won both Tests by a fair margin when they toured South Africa four years ago, but a closer encounter is expected tomorrow.
Scotland (v South Africa at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, tomorrow[Fri] 3.30pm UK time): C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr, L Thomson, F McGhie; H Nelson, M McDonald; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, C Belisle, E Wassell, S Bonar, R Malcolm (captain), R McLachlan, E Gallagher. Subs: E Martin, A Young, L Cockburn, L McMillan, J Konkel, C Mattinson, M Smith, E Musgrove.
South Africa: C Qawe; M Samboya, V Grain, P Nyanda, S Hess; L Janse van Rensburg, T Kinsey; S Charlie, L Gwala, B Latsha (captain), V Ubisi, D Lochner, L Dumke, S Mcatshulwa, A Hele. Replacements: R Botes, Y Ngxingolo, A Schonert, M Booi, C Jacobs. M Gunter, R Potgieter, M Zulu.
