Even though Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes, it is difficult to see anything other than a comfortable win for South Africa on Saturday.
Key Stats - Springboks have 10 Wins on the Bounce
- South Africa have won their last 10 matches.
- South Africa have won their last 8 matches against Scotland.
- South Africa have scored 45+ points in their last 3 matches.
- Scotland have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
Boks Dominant in last Eight
South Africa lead 8-0 in their last eight matches against the Scots. They beat them by 17 points at Murrayfield last year.
South Africa Unstoppable Form
South Africa are at the top of the world rankings, double World Cup champions and look way ahead of the rest of the pack at the moment. They seem to be in cruise control with depth few, besides France, can manage.
Last week, the Springboks dismantled England 45-21 at Ellis Park without ever really getting out of second gear. It looked comfortable from the first whistle as England fought against altitude.
Going back to last season, it is difficult to see who can regularly beat this South African side, even when they make 10 changes as they have for this weekend’s fixture.
Scotland Confident after Argentina Win
Scotland came into the Nations Championship in fine form, having enjoyed a good Six Nations campaign in which they beat both England and France.
However, their opening game in Argentina last weekend was always expected to be a tough task, especially without the injured Finn Russell. The hosts got off to a flying start but Scotland, true to their nature, showed plenty of grit to hang in there.
Once the Scots got going, Argentina had too few answers as Scotland upset the odds to win 47-38. This weekend will be a far tougher test of Scotland and given the travel they’ve had to endure, it could be a long afternoon for them.
South Africa vs Scotland Sarting Lineups
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn.
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Magnus Bradbury, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall