Coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to the Scotland starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.
Finn Russell regains the No 10 jersey after recovering from a calf injury, while tighthead prop Zander Fagerson and lock Gregor Brown both start in the pack after coming off the bench in last week’s victory over Argentina.
Fagerson replaces Elliot Millar Mills, who suffered a tour-ending injury in Córdoba, joining former Bulls loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman – a try-scorer on his 50th cap for Scotland last week – and Ewan Ashman in the front row.
ALSO: Big Wilco braces for battle with mate
Scott Cummings continues in the second row after also scoring a try on his 50th cap, with Brown coming into the lineup after crossing for his first Test try last week.
The back row is unchanged, with Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge – the latter having led the team with 24 tackles against Los Pumas – either side of Jack Dempsey.
MORE: Scotland star in awe of Pieter-Steph
Scrumhalf Ben White partners Russell at halfback, while Rory Hutchinson retains his place at outside centre after an impressive, try-scoring performance last week, once again forming a midfield partnership with captain Sione Tuipulotu.
An all-Glasgow Warriors back three sees Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the wings, and Kyle Rowe at fullback.
Townsend has opted for a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench.
Loosehead prop Rory Sutherland is in line to win his 50th cap for Scotland in the country in which he toured as a British & Irish Lion in 2021.
Hooker Gregor Hiddleston is retained among the replacements after a memorable debut against Los Pumas, along with lock Alex Samuel.
Flyhalf Tom Jordan moves to the bench after starting last time out, while prop Will Hurd, loose forwards Josh Bayliss and Magnus Bradbury, and centre Stafford McDowall are all set for their first appearances of the Nations Championship.
KEO: Scottish wizard out to cast spell on Boks
SCOTLAND – 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 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.
Bench: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Magnus Bradbury, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall.
Getting ready in South Africa!#AsOne pic.twitter.com/Qtirqjt0zM
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 8, 2026
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
The post Schoeman starts for Scots as Russell returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to the Scotland starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.
The post Schoeman starts for Scots as Russell returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
