Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn return to start for Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series clash with world champions South Africa on Sunday, while Tom Jordan will make his full debut at Murrayfield.
But they return for the visit of the Springboks with Russell pulling on the No. 10 shirt and Kinghorn starting on the wing.
“You know that you’re going to have to play your best rugby to be in the game,” said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.
“It’s got everybody’s minds focused, and the players are really relishing the opportunity.”
Kinghorn, who usually operates at full-back, will move wide after Darcy Graham was ruled out with concussion following his four-try showing against the Fijians.
That has opened up a space for Glasgow Warriors utility back Jordan, who impressed from the bench against Fiji, to earn his first start for Scotland at full-back.
New Zealand-born Jordan was fly-half for the Glasgow side that earned a stunning win over the Bulls in South Africa to claim the URC title last season.
“We thought he could operate there at Test level. We didn’t think he’d get that opportunity so quickly,” Townsend said.
“His position in the backfield has always been good when he’s played at 10 for Glasgow.
“With Blair having played a lot on the wing, not just over his career, but this season, we feel that’s the best combination.”
Scrum-half Ben White, who also plays his club rugby in France, returns to start, while captain Sione Tuipulotu partners Huw Jones in the midfield.
Duhan van der Merwe, who scored against Fiji to narrowly stay ahead of Graham at the top of Scotland’s all-time try scoring charts last week, starts on the other wing.
Townsend has opted to field the same forward pack that started against Fiji, with Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey making up an all-Glasgow back row.
Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings pack down in the second row, with hooker Ewan Ashman flanked by props Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman in the front row.
Scotland have selected six forwards and two backs on the bench, with Jamie Dobie and Stafford McDowall the two options in the backline.
Dylan Richardson, Elliot Millar Mills, Rory Sutherland, Josh Bayliss, Max Williamson and Jamie Ritchie are available to bolster the pack from the bench.
South Africa defeated Scotland 18-3 in the opening game of their successful 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign a year ago in Marseille.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for an unusual seven-one bench split in Edinburgh, with experienced lock Eben Etzebeth captaining a star-studded side.
Erasmus made 11 changes to the side that defeated Argentina to claim the Rugby Championship title six weeks ago.
“They are a class team,” said Erasmus. “Scotland think they are going to win and we know, if we are a little bit off our game, we are in for a very tough and long day.”
Scotland v South Africa teams
Scotland: Jordan, Kinghorn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Richardson, Sutherland, Millar Mills, Williamson, Bayliss, Ritchie, Dobie, McDowall.
South Africa: Le Roux, Moodie, Am, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi, Pollard, Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, T du Toit, Etzebeth, Mostert, Van Staden, Louw, Smith.
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Snyman, Kolisi, PS du Toit, Wiese, Williams.
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
TNT Sports are broadcasting every game of this year’s Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times (UK times).
Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off 13:40Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off 16:10France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off 13:40England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off 16:10Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off 15:10Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women’s Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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