Toony: Boks a big test for Scotland

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Scotland will play South Africa in Pretoria tomorrow with fly-half Finn Russell returning to the lineup and a bench featuring four newcomers, while facing the world champion Springboks coached by Rassie Erasmus. The match is a tough test for Scotland, who have lost all nine previous encounters on South African soil against a deep and physically dominant Springbok squad.

Scotland will face a significant challenge when they take on South Africa in Pretoria tomorrow in the ongoing Nations Championship, according to Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. Townsend described the Springboks as the world’s best team, led by what he considers the best coach, Rassie Erasmus. He also highlighted South Africa’s exceptional squad depth, which he said surpasses that of any other team globally.

Scotland’s lineup sees the return of fly-half Finn Russell, who missed last week’s match against Argentina due to a calf injury. Russell’s inclusion is expected to bolster Scotland’s attack after their 47-38 victory in Cordoba, which kicked off their Nations Championship campaign. Changes to the starting XV also include Glasgow forwards Zander Fagerson and Gregor Brown coming into the pack.

Townsend is placing considerable faith in Scotland’s bench, which features four newcomers: Will Hurd, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, and Stafford McDowall. The bench composition is notable for including six forwards and only two backs, deviating from the more typical five forwards and three backs split. Townsend admitted to contemplating an even more unconventional seven-forwards, one-back bench but ultimately opted for what he regarded as a balanced 6-2. He emphasized the physical demands of the game, particularly in the forward pack, and expects the replacements to have a significant impact in the later stages of the match.

On the South African side, coach Rassie Erasmus named a side with ten changes from their 45-21 victory over England last Saturday. Like Scotland, the Springboks have selected six forwards and two backs on their bench. Despite the absence of key players such as captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth due to injury, Erasmus’s squad remains deep and competitive, a fact acknowledged by Townsend.

Scotland face a daunting record against the Springboks, having lost their previous nine encounters with the reigning world champions and never securing a victory on South African soil. Tomorrow’s match will test Scotland’s resolve against a side that has dominated world rugby in recent years under Erasmus’s leadership.

Scotland’s starting lineup for the match includes Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey. The bench features Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Alex Samuel, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, Tom Jordan, and Stafford McDowall.

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