Match report
Michael Aylwin’s report from Murrayfield has landed so I’ll leave you with that.
Thank you for joining me. What a contest, what a privilege to be here. Congrats to the Boks, commiserations to the Scots. As Mchael says, “they threw everything at this match”.
And this from one of Scotland’s best voices tells a different tale:
Scotland will rue that period around the hour mark when they cut through South Africa, raged deep into the 22, and could not breach the threshold. Needed to be more than three points there. In the end, a 17pt loss feels cruel, but the Boks were ruthless where Scotland were not.
— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) November 10, 2024
This from a Springboks fan sums it up:
Scoreline flatters us. We looked seriously rusty and quite poor at times. Our power game was the difference - as we expected it might be. Our defence was both incredible and shoddy. They got round us way too easily but we fought like dogs close to the line.
— A-P (@rugby_ap) November 10, 2024
Am I being harsh on the Boks? Isn’t winning ugly but still comfortably a sign of a champion side?
Here’s what Gregor Townsend told BBC Scotland:
A lot of pride in the performance. I thought it was a brilliant Test match - hugely physical.
We matched South Africa for a lot of the game and we were down to 14 for 20 minutes. I thought the team looked mentally strong.
A couple of skill errors cost us and we didn’t get the rub of the green with decisions, clearly. South Africa then showed their power in the last 10 minutes.
That effort in the second half was outstanding. To open up their defence at times and match their physicality. We will be frustrated because there were a couple of opportunities out there.
We played one of our best games of the last few years today, and we pushed the world champions very close. There are areas we have to improve, but some of the defence today was world class. The effort that went in is all we want from a Scotland team.
We know we could have executed better and had decisions go against us, but they deserved to win, South Africa.
All the chat in the press room as we wait to hear from the coaches is along similar lines and asking the same question:
How did that happen?
Scotland have left this with loads of credit having bossed the breakdown and played some delightful stuff, and yet the lost four tries to nil and by a score of 17.
Bryan Habana, on TNT, is heaping praise on the Boks and the Bomb Squad.
I think he’s being generous. I think Rassie dodged a bullet there. I think he played his reserves too early and got really lucky that his team managed to keep out Scotland.
Then again, when you have a scrum like that, they have a get out of jail trump card. By my count that was four succesive scrum penalties before the final try at the end.
With that win, South Africa move back to number one on World Rugby’s rankings.
Eben Etzebeth is the man of the match.
Here’s what he had to say:
Thank you to all the South Africans here tonight. It was a tough Test match, it’s always a tough match against Scotland. It was much closer than the scoreline suggests.
We needed to stick together. It was a tough one to start with.
Credit to Jerry Flannery for [setting up the defence that once again kept Scotland out]
As you might know, I’m South Africa, so of course I’m delighted with that result. But I’m genuinely gutted for the Scots and their supporters. They were magnificent. Tuipulotu, Jones, Jordan and everyone who hammered the breakdown deserved more than a 17-point defeat.
The Boks were just too clinical when it mattered and refused to have their own line breached.
Full-time: Scotland 15-32 South Africa
The scoreline won’t tell the full story but that is a brutal performance from a Boks team that wasn’t quite at the races today. Scotland were brilliant but they still conceded four tries without scoring one of their own. My goodness, what a game which proves how hard it is to beat these world champions.
TRY! Scotland 15-32 South Africa (Wiese, 80)
The scrum consumes Scotland’s pack and Wiese, at the back, just has to dot down! Pollard slots the extras.
79th min: South Africa go back to basics after playing it fast following a Scottish spill. Snyman, Marx, du Toit and Etzebeth all carry with vicious intent and they’re five metres out. Scotland slow the ball down illegally and South Africa win a penalty. They choose to take the scrum.
77th min: South Africa go through the forwards before sending it down the backline. Kolisi is prowling in the trams and makes a decent charge. But they can’t quite stitch it together and a loose pass bobbles out for a line-out. Scotland have the throw but inside their own territory.
76th min: South Africa secure the restart and then get the ball back again after a clearing box kick. Another high contestable kicks lands on their side and suddenly they’re securing the ruck around halfway. One more contestable is won by a man in green and they’re into Scotland’s territory. Now on the edge of the 22. They are the masters at securing tight games (England, are you watching?)
Penalty! Scotland 15-25 South Africa (Pollard, 74)
Pollard slots it from right in front. That could be that unless Scotland do something incredible from here.
Updated
73rd min: South Africa predictably win the scrum penalty. Pollard points to the poles. Jordan makes way. He had an outstanding game.
72nd min: South Africa have the scrum feed right under Scotland poles. That’s because Jordan spilled the ball as he swept across to collect a Williams grubber following some big work from the Boks forwards following a line-out win. After defending their own line a moment ago, South Africa have a big opportunity to put this game to bed.
70th min: The Boks win a scrum penalty. Their pack is just so monstrous! They attack with front foot ball. Esterhuizen feeds Pollard who feeds Mapimpi, back on the field. They look sharper with Williams at 9. Pollard kicks to the corner. It’s a good touch finder. They come a long way back fore the scrum penalty. I think that’s a generous advantage.
69th min: Scotland are camped inside South Africa’s 22 thanks to Jordan getting through the line with a quick step. More strong carries keeps the hosts on the front foot. They lose it, but a poor kick from le Roux means the Scots come right back at them. They must score. But South Africa’s defence holds. They’re defending for their lives! A cross-field kick dips quickly on Tuipolotu and he spills it. Scrum for the Boks inside their own half. That’s an impressive show from the Springboks who had almost no right to keep the Scots out there. Mighty defence. Both teams change their scrumhalves.
66th min: South Africa just about secure the restart and Hendrikse boxes. Not very far, but it does go out. Scotland with the lineout about 40 out.
Penalty! Scotland 15-22 South Africa (Pollard, 66)
Pollard does Pollard things and nails a tough penalty under pressure when his team needed it to go over.
64th min: Scotland infringe at the line-out. Du Toit gathers but he was pulled down in the air. Soft as far as Scotland is concerned.
63rd min: South Africa win a penalty for a change. That’s a big steal from Am who has given his loose forwards a bit of a lesson at the breakdown. Pollard goes for distance and this time finds touch. A Boks line-out just outside of Scotland’s 22 will take place after everyone takes a breather. Dempsey leaves the pitch for Bayliss. Richardson, who plays his club rugby in Durban, is also on the pitch for Ashman.
62nd min: Another penalty on the ground for Scotland. Forget the Bomb Squad. South Africa’s forwards are getting bossed right now. Scotland have all the momentum and an almighty opportunity to win this. Russell kicks to touch and they’ll have the line-out about 25 metres out.
Penalty! Scotland 15-19 South Africa (Russell, 61)
Three more points for Scotland. Should they have tried to score a try? Well, they’ve shortened the gap. Pragmatic, but was it wise?
61st min: Scotland can’t secure the line-out five metres out. But it’s another poor kick from South Africa and Kinghorn runs it back. The crowd is going bonkers! Tuipolotu with a big carry and Jordan is through! Oh, why didn’t he pass on his inside? Still they come, though. Schoeman with a short carry. Another penalty under the posts. South Africa look desperate! Rather than scrum, Russell chooses to slot a gimme penalty to shorten the gap.
Yellow card! (Mapimpi, 60)
Now South Africa must play with a man down after Mapimpi lost his discipline as he scrambled back to defend.
Updated
60th min: South Africa lose the line-out and Scotland attack. They have been electric these past few minutes. Jones beats one, beats another, he keeps going, what a run this is! Can he find support? No, not quite. White comes to sweep up and keep the move alive. Mapimpi strays off side so Scotland have a free hit. South Africa’s defence holds but it’s all Scotland riught now. There’s a spill down on the opposite wing but they’ll come back for the penalty which Russell nudges into the corner.
57th min: Under the shade of their own posts, South Africa’s pack win a scrum penalty. Pollard goes for distance but doesn’t find touch. That’s a poor mistake. So Scotland attack and find an edge on the opposite tram. The floated final pass is just a little too high and sails over van der Merwe’s head and it goes out for a line-out.
56th min: Wonderful play from Scotland off the back of a line-out almost puts van der Merwe through. It needed Etzebeth to grab his shirt to bring him down. But the Scots flood through the hole and they’re collecting down the line. More strong carries. Quick ball from White. Into the 22. Schoeman now. Russell then Jordan. The crowd rises. 10m out. But Fagerson drops it under the poles after Wiese puts him under pressure.
53rd min: ANOTHER handling error from South Africa gifts possession back to Scotland. It’s down in Scottish territory so Scotland opt to kick. But a poor return has Russell lifting a high, awkward spiral bomb that le Roux fails to grab at the first go. When he eventually gets it under control he hoofs a punt towards half-way. South Africa are doing all the running with their big units making gains, but they can’t stitch together enough phases to make those initial bursts count. Scotland’s defence is holding firm and it is them who have the firepower off the bench to come. The Boks have fired all their shots in that regard.
51st min: South Africa’s scrum gets the ascendency but not the penalty. Am collects on the charge and barges over the gainline. Hendrikse – for the third time – knocks-on under no pressure and Scotland are countering. A kick ahead is collected by a diving le Roux but Kinghorn loses his feet as he makes the tackle, going over the top and the rest of the Scots follow. Penalty to Scotland and that’s a freebie for the Boks who were under immense pressure in their own 22.
50th min: Scotland give away a free-kick friom their own scrum so South Africa tap and go. First the forwards then quyick hands from le Roux, Pollard and Esterhuizen frees up Am. They keep it going even after an off-load doesn’t stick. Marx carries then le Roux fires a pass over the top and in a flash Mapimpi has it on the opposite wing. He toes ahead but can’t keep it in play. They were playing with an scrum advantage so will pack down around Scotland’s 22. Big moment you feel.
48 min: There’s another knock-on from Hendrikse, this time at the back of a ruck. Pieter-Steph du Toit carries three times and stomps over the gainline with every touch. Snyman battles too but Scotland hold firm and cause chaos at the breakdown yet again. Hendrikse takes his eyes off the ball and Scotland will get the scrum feed.
46th min: There’s another heft carry from Esterhuizen off first phase ball before a clever off0load to Am. South Africa creep into Scotland’s 22 before a grubber ahead into the corner needs cleaning up by Jordan. He’s soon swamped by men in green but Scotland help him out and secure the ball. The clearing kick doesn’t clear the 22 so the Boks get line-out.
And here comes the Bomb Squad. Six subs. The front row, the back row and a few others.
There’s a knock on by Hendrikse at the back of the maul from the line-out – which is a real missed opportunity – and then both teams get into a bit of pushing and shoving which wakes the crowd up! And South Africa concede the penalty for losing their heads. An excellent outcome for the Scots.
Penalty! Scotland 12-19 South Africa (Russell, 44)
The lead is cut to seven as Russell maintains his perfect record from the tee.
Updated
42nd min: Tuipolotu hammers the line off first phase ball from the scrum. He’s a monster! Russell switches the direction of play and almost chucks an intercept, but there’s another knock-on by a man in green and Scotland get the scrum and then the scrum penalty inside South Africa’s 22. Russell points to the sticks.
41st min: Smith spills the restart so Scotland have the feed on SA’s 22. RG Snyman was a half-time switch for Franco Mostert.
The teams are back out. Scotland have done well to stay within touching distance and could have been closer had they not had a try scrapped from the ledger.
Can they continue to front up once the Boks reserves make their way onto the park. We’ll soon find out.
“That second [Springboks] try was beautiful. It felt like ultimate frisbee,” says Craig Hart.
Not sure what he means exactly. But thanks for writing in Craig!
“A good game,” says my colleague, Michael Aylwin, next to me.
Just shows how two people can watch the same match and come up with different takes.
My view is that it’s been a mess. But that’s because both teams are hammering the breakdown like zealots.
Two excellent kicks – from Pollard and le Roux – for Mapimpi’s tries, and some big carries from Esterhuizen aside, the Boks haven’t offered much.
Scotland really needed that try. And they deserved it as it was the first bit of quality from either backline.
You feel they needed to be closer at the break before the Bomb Squad comes on but Scotland deserve credit for not being blown away having spent 20 minutes of that half a man down.
Half-time: Scotland 9-19 South Africa
South Africa escape with a 10-point lead. Boos ring out but it was the right call. Jones did knock-on. Adding insult to injury Scotland give away a penalty but Pollard fails to find touch. Van der Merwe collects inside his 22 and nudges it out. A mad half comes to an end.
NO TRY! Scotland 9-19 South Africa (White, 39)
THERE’S A KNOCK-ON! White scores a classic scrum-half’s try as he provides support on the inside of Jordan who cut through a gap to break open the South African defensive line.
Except he hasn’t. Because, after Tuipulotu made a barnstorming carry, there’s a knock on from Jones in the build up. So cruel for the Scots.
Updated
37th min: Scotland lose their feet on the deck at the breakdown after the restart and South Africa have a pressure reliving penalty inside their own 22. But the Scots will have a scrum feed on halfway after a knock-on a few seconds later. It’s been that sort of game. Scrappy, messy, pretty ugly to be honest.
TRY! Scotland 9-17 South Africa (Mapimpi, 36)
Another one for Mapimpi! A monster scrum gives the Boks front foot ball. They go down the line with Esterhuizen and Am combining before Hendrikse shifts it back where it came from. Le Roux plays a delicious kick over the top and Mapimpi runs onto it before scoring in the corner. Brilliant play but where was Scotland’s defence? Pollard converts and suddenly there’s daylight between the sides.
Updated
34th min: Every time one team takes some momentum they give it away. Scotland give away a soft scrum after securing the restart on the 22 after White takes too long to kick at the back of a ruck.
Penalty! Scotland 9-12 South Africa (Russell, 33)
Russell makes no mistake and South Africa’s sixth penalty conceded is punished.
32nd min: This has been a chaotic game. Both teams are throwing absolutely everything at the breakdown and Scotland are winning that battle. They win a penalty shortly after the restart just beyond South Africa’s 10m line. Max Williamson comes onto the pitch after Cummings’ 20 minute red card ends.
TRY! Scotland 6-12 South Africa (Du Toit, 31)
From nothing! South Africa, for the third time this Test, make a mess of the line-out, but a lucky bobble has the ball fall for Thomas du Toit who runs in an easy score. Pollard converts and the Boks are back in front against the run of play.
30th min: South Africa find themselves within touching distance of the Scottish line thanks to a clever dink from le Roux and a lucky bounce of the ball that bobbles over Jordan and Moodie is almost in. Scotland secure the ball but the clearing box kick from White doesn’t go long and the Boks will have the line-out inside Scotland’s 22.
28th min: Scotland make yards with short carries around the fringe. That opens space for Russell in the pocket who drops at goal but Mostert charges it down. Scotland win the ball back and have a dart down the short side. But they can’t hold onto it and a break from Mapimpi has South Africa cantering up field.
26th min: Scotland win the line-out and are happy to play the kick challenge. Moodie runs it up but is met with resistance. South Africa kick, Scotland return it. When the Boks have the final say it’s a big territorial win for the home side who’ll have the line-out feed around the Boks’ 22.
24 min: South Africa finally win a line-out and get a rolling maul on. They go down the line after the rumble stalls before Etzebethe is SMOKED by Ashman. Moodie gets a poor pass floated over to him, knocks it on and then the Boks concede yet another breakdown penalty. You’d never guess it but it’s South Africa with the man advantage.
Penalty! Scotland 6-5 South Africa (Russell, 22)
Scotland take the lead! And you know what, they deserve it. South Africa, apart from the try, have not been at it yet.
Updated
21st min: South Africa’s scrum motors through the Scottish pack but White gets it in and out very quickly. There’s a kick down field and Moodie runs it back, but another penalty is blown against the Boks as the winger holds on. Russll within range here.
20th min: This time South Africa win the free-kick from the scrum but instantly cough up possession. Hendrikse taps and goes quickly but chucks a tough pass to Smith who shells it.
19 min: Am has the ball knocked loose from his grasp so Scotland have a scrum inside their own patch. South Africa just haven’t clicked across the backline yet. Another chance to scrum though.
RED CARD! Scotland (Cummings, 18)
Cummings’ yellow has been upgraded! Scotland now have to play with a man down for a total of 20 minutes.
Updated
Penalty! Scotland 3-5 South Africa (Russell, 18)
Scotland are up and running. And they deserve that. Great physicality from Scotland.
Updated
16th min: Poor from South Africa. They go too early in the scrum so give away a free-kick. Then, after Pollard is sat down by Tuipolotu with a mighty carry, Mostert obstructs the chasers from a high kick. Russell will now get a chance at an easy three.
15th min: Another clean line-out win from Scotland has them on the front foot. A high kick into South Africa’s 22 causes some problems for Mapimpi but a kind bounce has it back on the side of the Boks. Shortly after there’s a spill around half-way and Scotland will have the scrum feed. Can Scotland hold without a member of their tight five?
12th min: South Africa win their line-out and go down the line and then back. Scotland’s defence holds before le Roux kicks to touch around the 22. Esterhuizen is having a strong game providing some neat link-up play in midfield. Scotland win their line-out and then a penalty after the Boks collapse the maul. If they can keep South Africa scoreless for 10 minutes they’ll be well pleased.
Yellow card! (Cummings, 12)
The officials are taking a long look at the big screen. Cummings has crocodile-rolled Mostert away from a ruck and that’s a clear penalty. Definite yellow card despite the boos.
Updated
11th min: Scotland win a penalty within range after a tackler doesn’t roll away. Earlier in the move Jones unfurled a pass through his legs to keep the backline ranging right and then left. Better tempo from the Scots and this should be an easy three for Russell.
10th min: The crowd rises as Van der Merwe gets the ball in some space down the left wing, but he’s monstered into touch by several Boks. Mbonambi misses his jumper – that’s two in a row that the Boks haf fluffed.
9th min: A cute dink off the boot puts the ball inside South Africa’s 22 and Moodie has to mop up with a wriggle of his hips. A messy few minutes from both sides ends with a line-out for Scotland around half-way.
6th min: Scotland win a penalty inside their own half after a Hendirkse up and under puts it back after the restart. Russell kicks to touch but doesn’t get a lot of ground so Scotland will have to attack from a line-out 10m into South Africa’s territory. But it’s a mess. In a flash the Boks get the ball back with a line-out of their own. But then Scotland pinch the ball… what a scrappy passage.
TRY! Scotland 0-5 South Africa (Mapimpi, 5)
The Boks are on the board! It’s a great finish from Mapimpi in the left corner following a perfect cross-field kick-pass from Pollard. The base was set from a maul and Pollard had the licence to chance his luck with a penalty advantage. Brilliant from South Africa.
Pollard fails with the conversion.
Updated
5th min: Scotland are targeting the breakdown and a strong counter ruck almost wins the ball back around half-way. But a tackler doesn’t roll away so it’s a Boks penalty which Pollard hoofs into the corner around six metres from the line. Great kick.
3rd min: Pollard finds space in the backfield but Duhan scampers back and makes a good mark on the dive. His clearing kick gives South Africa a line-out 10m inside Scottish territory.
2nd min: South Africa kick-off. White box-kicks back and South Africa attack. Smith with a run before Pollard hoists high. The Boks secure the ball back and attack down the line before Mapimpi makes inroads into Scottish territory.
A Scottish supporter, who wants to remain anonymous, has this chilling message:
“By far the most likely way to get a Scotland win in this match is if a key Springbok player is sent off permanently at an early stage in the game.”
Not an optimistic outlook, but realistic perhaps.
My goodness, Flower of Scotland is an absolute tune!
Credit to the crowd, and the band, and the players, and whoever wrote the song. I loved that!
If the 23 representing Scotland can match that they’ll hammer the world champions.
Anthems now… two of the best in world rugby.
It’s Remembrance Sunday so we’ll start with some bagpipes and a moment of silence.
The players are lining up in the tunnel.
Kwagga Smith is leading the Boks out on his 50th appearance for his country.
Bryan Habana says that this is the best collection of Springboks in South Africa’s history.
He also said that it’s the best cluster of Scots of all time.
Should be a belter then.
Here’s Sarah Rendell’s report from Cardiff on a historic win for Fiji:
What are your thoughts on the 7-1 bench split? Does anyone out there feel that it’s against the spirit of rugby?
Rassie Erasmus, full of smiles, admits that his rotated side is a consequence of the short six-day turnaround before the England match.
A few weeks ago, he was doing his best to convince Gerard Meager that his brutal Boks are actually a bunch of lovable blokes. Anyone buying it?
The crowd is filling up around me and there are a load of Saffas in attendance.
The streets of Edinburgh were awash with green jerseys. They’re not the majority – I’d say it’s a 70-30 split – but they’ll fanatically cheer every South African point.
With Wales losing to Fiji, Scotland are the only European side to beat a southern hemisphere outfit in five Tests this Autumn.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Not if you read my preview of the four southern hemisphere giants (Fiji not included).
Missed it, did you? I’ve got you covered:
Some of you might have noticed my slip when I reported on the Scotland team.
It’s fixed now, thanks to Allan MacDonald, who wrote in to help me out.
Allan also had some thoughts on Jordan at full-back:
Quite surprised he went to full back when Rowe went off last week, but I suppose Scotland use their fullback as a second playmaker often and with Kinghorn also able to fill that role it might keep the South African rush defence guessing for that crucial split second.
(I can hope!!)
Fiji have just beaten Wales! 24-19 in Cardiff. It’s Wales’ 10th successive defeat, their joint-worst ever run.
Rassie Erasmus and his Boks have on the charm offensive this Autumn.
But is it working?
Michael Aylwin ain’t buying it. But, as our man says, it’s not necessary. The Boks have earned their reputation as the bad boys of the game. Why not embrace it?
South Africa team
It’s a seven-one split on the bench with only Grant Williams – a scrum-half-cum-winger – the lone back among the subs.
There are some heavy hitters who’ll be expected to add some heft later on, but don’t think of the starters as lightweight. That’s a very mobile back row who’ll look to stifle Scotland’s ball. And with Andre Esterhuizen rampaging down the inside centre lane, the Boks will still pack a punch from the opening whistle.
South Africa: Wille le Roux; Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth (c), Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenkamp, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams.
5️⃣0️⃣ up for Kwagga Smith on Sunday as a couple of injured stalwarts return to the #Springboks team to face Scotland in Edinburgh - more here: https://t.co/4YzPoQb0qY 🦓#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ADqPo2iyvL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2024
Scotland team
A few big names, including Fin Russell, Ben White and Blair Kinghorn return to the side.
New Zealand-born Tom Jordan makes his first start for his adopted country at full-back. He’s usually a midfielder, and his deployment in the backfield, with Kinghorn out wide, could be a sign of Scotland’s intention to hoist the ball high. Then again, it could just be that Darcy Graham is out injured.
Scotland: Tom Jordan; Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (c), Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar Mills, Max Williamson, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Dobie, Stafford McDowall.
Your Scotland team to face South Africa in Round 2⃣ of @thefamousgrouse Nations Series.
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 8, 2024
Read more 📰 https://t.co/tgkQ5s00By pic.twitter.com/L7M7m0qYn6
Updated
Preamble
So far it’s been a clean sweep for the Rugby Championship sides over their Six Nations rivals.
The New Zealand All Blacks edged England and then kept Ireland at arm’s length. Australia won a thriller at Twickenham before Argentina routed Italy.
Now the double world champion Springboks take aim at Scotland with Gregor Townsend’s team the last hope for those who hold onto the belief that Europe’s best have the measure of the southern hemisphere giants.
Scotland have not beaten South Africa since 2010 in a run that stretches across 10 Tests. They were outmuscled in their last meeting at last year’s World Cup and though they have the razzle-dazzle to cut any defensive line to shreds, it’s where cauliflowered ears meet bloodied foreheads where this game will likely be decided.
Can Scotland front up to the Bomb Squad, as South Africa’s meaty replacements have been dubbed since their 2019 World Cup triumph? Perhaps they can. But what about a Nuclear Squad? Rassie Erasmus has named seven forwards on the bench including regular captain Siya Kolisi and the former World Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit.
If Scotland can get enough front-foot ball for Finn Russell, and if they can handle the heft of the Boks pack, and if they can establish a large enough lead to nullify the impact of the South African bench, then maybe, possibly, they have a serious chance of a mighty upset.
That’s a lot of ifs, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Autumn Nations Series so far it’s that we should expect the unexpected.
How good’s international rugby at the minute!? Another cracker awaits!
I’m at Murrayfield and I can’t wait to get going. Drop me a mail if you’ve got any thoughts you’d like to share.
Kick-off at 4:10pm GMT.
Teams and further updates to come.
