Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe

Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe. Photo: Andrew Surma/NurPhoto via ZUMA Press

Saffa trio in Scotland side set to tackle Boks

South Africa-born Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and Oli Kebble will feature for Scotland against the Boks on Saturday.

Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe

Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe. Photo: Andrew Surma/NurPhoto via ZUMA Press

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has selected a new-look side to play South Africa at Murrayfield on Saturday, with kick off scheduled for 15:00 SA time.

PREVIEW: THREE SPRINGBOKS WITH BIG OPPORTUNITIES ON SATURDAY

There are four personnel changes from the starting XV which defeated Australia last Sunday with two each in the forwards and backs, and two on the replacements bench from the Wallabies fixture, along with a positional change in the pack.

Stuart Hogg leads the team from fullback winning his 87th cap, which draws him level with lock Scott Murray in fourth position on the all-time Scotland capped list.

Leicester Tigers centre Matt Scott earns his first Scotland start since June 2017, when he played against Italy in Singapore in Gregor Townsend’s first match as head coach.

Scott comes in for his 40th Scotland cap and partners Gloucester Rugby’s Chris Harris, who played South Africa for the British & Irish Lions this summer.

Glasgow Warrior’s Rufus McLean starts on the wing after his double try-scoring debut against Tonga earlier in the 2021 Autumn Nations Series, with Worcester Warriors and Van der Merwe completing the back three.

Lions halfback pairing Finn Russell, also named as vice-captain, and Ali Price both start following their strong showing against Australia.

In the pack Edinburgh Rugby’s Nick Haining comes into the starting back-row on the blindside flank as club-mate and Vice-Captain Jamie Ritchie moves to the openside.

Glasgow Warriors Matt Fagerson continues at No 8.

Hamish Watson, himself a Lions tourist this summer, is named among the replacements.

There is a return to the front row for Edinburgh Rugby’s Stuart McInally at hooker and he packs down with Lion Zander Fagerson and Edinburgh Rugby’s Pierre Schoeman, who earns his third start at loosehead prop.

Edinburgh Rugby’s Grant Gilchrist and Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Skinner continue their second-row partnership following their role in the win over the Wallabies on Sunday.

READ | CAN ELTON UNLOCK SCOTLAND DEFENCE?