Scotland will push the Springboks far harder at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday than many anticipate, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says South Africans underestimate Gregor Townsend’s side at their peril, pointing to their victories over England and France in this year’s Six Nations and Argentina in Córdoba last weekend as evidence they are capable of troubling the world champions.
“There is a perception in South Africa that Scotland are still the plucky underdogs who play attractive rugby but inevitably come up short against the game’s heavyweights. It is an outdated perception.”
Keohane believes the Springboks have a healthy respect for Scotland, particularly after their tense 2023 World Cup pool clash, while the Bulls’ repeated meetings with the Glasgow Warriors this season have given many Bok players valuable insight into the Scottish style of play.
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He also highlights several key individual battles, none bigger than the scrum duel between Bok tighthead prop Wilco Louw and former Bulls loosehead Pierre Schoeman, who has become a cornerstone of Scotland’s pack since moving abroad.
South African winger Kyle Steyn and playmaker Finn Russell are also identified as major threats.
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“The Springboks, at home and at altitude, are favourites, but I think the bookies are generous in giving the Boks a 20-point win,” Keohane writes.
“I think it will be closer to 10 than 20 in what will be the Boks’ toughest Test in July’s Nations Championship fixtures.”
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
The post Scots no longer rugby’s plucky underdogs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Scotland will push the Springboks far harder at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday than many anticipate, writes @mark_keohane
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