Gregor Townsend says his Scotland side can expect a reception like no other when they face the Springboks on Saturday, but is confident they will rise to the occasion.
The Scots are set to lock horns with the Boks at Loftus in round two of the Nations Championship this week, after both teams kicked off their campaign with wins against Argentina and England, respectively.
Townsend believes facing the world champions on their own turf offers a rare and valuable challenge for his group, one they won’t get many other chances to experience together.
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“Having been here before and watched a lot of games now in South Africa, it is a unique occasion,” the coach said. “There’s the smells when you come to the ground of the braais, the winters here with the sun all day… the players experienced it this week. It feels different.
“And then there’s a lot of music, a lot of noise getting played throughout the game, so it’s now become a truly South African occasion, different from any others.
“We’re used to different environments now, whether it’s the cauldron of Cardiff, whether it’s now the music and the noise you get in Paris and Rome.
“It’ll be hostile in a way but more noisy. I think the hostility is on the field but it is one of those superb, unique occasions that the players will certainly be motivated for.”
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Townsend also reflected on Scotland’s 32-15 defeat to the Boks at Murrayfield in 2024, where his side showed plenty of fight but ultimately fell short.
“We showed real physicality and work rate, we rode an early storm of going points down, we picked up a red card… We showed real resilience that day, but it wasn’t enough and we have to give more,” he said.
“We’ve got to play a game that is 80 minutes of physicality, of thinking, of being together and being in control when you have those moments and those opportunities to score.”
Townsend expects Scotland to be tested physically for long periods, particularly around the Boks’ aggressive line speed and set-piece dominance.
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“We’re definitely going to be up against it physically, and we’re going to relish those challenges,” he added.
“We know what’s happening when you play the Boks: they’re going to be really physical in their defence. They’re going to come at you. It is a unique defence: line speed and forcing you back inside.
“There’s going to be times in the game where they get the upper hand. I would hope that there’ll be times in the game when we cause them problems.
“It’s about building on those and making sure that when the momentum is in the favour of South Africa, we can wrestle it back quickly.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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Gregor Townsend says his Scotland side can expect a reception like no other when they face the Springboks on Saturday, but is confident they will rise to the occasion.
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