(Getty Images)
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World champions South Africa return to action as they begin their Autumn Nations Series with a tasty clash with Scotland.
Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks added a rare Rugby Championship crown to their considerable collection of achievements in September and now set their sights on a side they suffocated and shut down at last year’s World Cup. Erasmus has rotated heavily from the team that started against Argentina in South Africa’s last outing, with seven forwards primed on a bench of behemoths that is sure to test the hosts’ staying power.
But Scotland will arrive at Murrayfield full of confidence after an encouraging performance from some of their key figures and fringe faces against Fiji last weekend. There was deep disappointment that they failed to show more of their attacking array in the pool-stage meeting in Marseille last September, and Gregor Townsend has weapons at his disposal capable of challenging their visitors.
Follow all of the action from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Scotland vs Springboks LIVE
Rory Darge hopeful club success translates to international arena
Rory Darge believes Glasgow’s United Rugby Championship success last season can have a positive effect on Scotland‘s mindset as they bid to topple world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The back-rower was one of several members of Gregor Townsend’s squad who played for Warriors when they pulled off their historic URC final triumph over the Bulls in Pretoria in June.
Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn also enjoyed notable success last term as part of the Toulouse squad that won a Top 14 and Champions Cup double.
Darge believes that, in addition to having faced the Springboks at the World Cup 14 months ago, such lofty accomplishments at club level have given the Scotland players a renewed sense of confidence for facing formidable challenges like the one coming their way on Sunday.
“It is a good thing that we’ve had the experience of playing South Africa,” said the 24-year-old.
“A lot of the group have had the experience of playing them now, so I have a bit of a better idea of what’s coming.
“The other thing that helps is the sort of form that the players in this group have been in away from here. The results they’ve got and obviously the club’s successes and the form that we’ve been in with Scotland as well means that we’ll go into it with a bit of belief.
“It gives you a bit of belief that you can go out and win those big games (at club level). It’s not just Glasgow, obviously Blair coming out with experience of winning the double, and others. That definitely has an impact.”
Glasgow won the United Rugby Championship last season by beating the Bulls in Pretoria (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 14:15
Andre Esterhuizen insists there is no complacency in Springboks camp
Andre Esterhuizen is adamant there is no chance of South Africa taking their current sense of buoyancy for granted after they arrived in the UK for their three-Test Autumn Series.
The Springboks have won the last two World Cups and further underlined their credentials by winning five of their six matches against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in this summer’s Rugby Championship.
Rassie Erasmus’ formidable side will be expected to add further victories against Scotland, England and Wales over the next three weekends.
“For rugby players, it’s one day you can be at the top of the world, the next day you can lose to anyone,” said Sharks centre Esterhuizen, speaking from the team’s Edinburgh hotel.
“So, yes, it’s good to have confidence and a bit of an aura, but also you know that any team at the top 10 could probably beat you on any given day.
“And that’s rugby. We just focus every week on being the best we can that week and obviously, strive to be better. You can’t always be at the top and think you can’t get better.”
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 14:00
Scotland vs South Africa
Graham’s absence affords Duhan van der Merwe the opportunity to build a lead as the pair scrap over Scotland’s try-scoring record.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 13:45
Darcy Graham ruled out of Scotland’s clash with South Africa with head injury
Scotland are boosted by the availability of all of their non-domestic based stars today, but are without last week’s star man: four-try Darcy Graham suffered a head injury in the win over Fiji and has been ruled out.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 13:30
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test on TV and online
This is the final game of the first full weekend of Autumn Nations Series action, but the rugby is far from over, with a hectic schedule continuing throughout November. He’s everything you need to know:
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 13:15
Sione Tuipulotu admits Scotland captaincy debut could not have gone any better
Sione Tuipulotu admitted his Scotland captaincy could hardly have started in more emphatic fashion after his team raced into an early 26-0 lead on their way to a 57-17 victory over Fiji in their first autumn Test.
The Glasgow centre was appointed skipper by Gregor Townsend last month and was thrilled that his tenure began so smoothly, with four tries in the opening quarter of the match.
“We jumped out fast,” said Tuipulotu. “It went probably better than I thought it was going to go, to be honest. That first 20 minutes, I thought we were going to be in a real arm-wrestle, but the boys really fronted up.”
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 13:00
Scotland vs South Africa LIVE
A very good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Scotland vs South Africa as this action-packed Autumn Nations Series continues. The Springboks kick off their November Tests with a trip to Murrayfield and a meeting with a Scottish side that impressed against Fiji last weekend.
Things are sure to ratchet up a notch or three with the world champions in town, though. Kick off is at 4.10pm GMT.
Ben White gets to grips with South Africa’s Siya Kolisi on Sunday (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 15:49
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