Springboks warned: ‘Scotland are no mugs’

The Springboks have been advised that they will underestimate Scotland at their peril when the two sides clash in an enticing Rugby World Cup encounter in Marseille on Sunday afternoon.

An epic battle is expected to play out between the Springboks – ranked second in the world – and the fifth-ranked Scotland, with both teams desperate to win the clash with challenging matches against World No 1, Ireland, Tonga and Romania still to come in the pool stages.

LIVE UPDATES: SPRINGBOKS’ ROAD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

The result of this heavyweight clash will go a long way in determining who the final Pool B standings shape up. But while the Springboks are slight favourites to overcome the brave Scots, former Ireland Test star Alan Quinlan believes Scotland can cause an upset against South Africa.

SPRINGBOKS UNBOTHERED BY SOUTH AFRICAN-BORN SCOTS

Speaking to BoyleSports about Rugby World Cup odds, Quinlan cautioned the Springboks against the threat Scotland pose to their World Cup title defence.

“They [Scotland] are no mugs, they can be so dangerous when they get their tails up,” Quinlan said. “I’ve been saying for a while now that everybody is talking about the Springboks and Ireland in the pool, but I can guarantee Andy Farrell is very mindful of what Scotland can do and will bring.”

“And Tonga have several ex All Blacks back. It is a really tough group you cannot in any way underestimate Scotland. If their forwards can get parity they have serious threats in their back line.”

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CHECK OUT THE SOUTH AFRICA’S FIXTURES BELOW:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille). Kick-off time: 17:45
Sunday, 17 September – South Africa v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux). Kick-off time: 15:00
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris). Kick-off time: 21:00
Sunday, 1 October – South Africa v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille). Kick-off time: 21:00

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

ALSO READ | Three forwards who could be World Cup game-changers for Springboks

You can also check out all the World Cup fixtures and kick-off times here, with South Africa and France notably in the same time zone.

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