Five talking points from Scotland team to play South Africa

The reigning world champions are huge favourites for the Sunday showdown at Murrayfield with Rassie Erasmus naming a fearsome team and bench.

Read more:

• Scotland make four changes for Springboks as Russell and Kinghorn return

• Murrayfield 'aura' can help Scotland cause upset warns Rassie Erasmus     

Scotland secured a record win over Fiji last weekend and they’ll be bolstered against the Springboks by the returning Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn. 

Russell will renew his half-back partnership with Ben White - who replaces Ali Price at scrum-half - with Tom Jordan handed his first start after impressing off the bench against Fiji on debut. 

Jordan’s inclusion at fullback has raised a few eyebrows with the Glasgow Warriors star naturally a centre or fly-half. Townsend, however, has been forced to shuffle his pack with Kinghorn moving to the wing in the absence of Darcy Graham and Kyle Rowe.

The Scotland head coach opted for a 6-2 split of forwards and backs on his bench with South Africa naming seven forwards as their replacements in a bold move.

Townsend covered a multitude of topics as he faced the media on Friday afternoon after naming his team and here are five things we learned from his press conference. 

Springboks are the best in the world

South Africa arrived in the Northern Hemisphere for their three-game series determined to show why they are widely regarded as the best international side in the world.

The Springboks have won the last two Rugby World Cups and they are constantly evolving. They are renowned for their incredible physicality but they now play a more expansive game and Townsend is under no illusions about Scotland’s underdog status.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend (Image: SNS) “I think they're the benchmark,” Townsend.

“If you look through the World Cup, they didn't blow anybody away, but they had enough to win two or three of the games by one or two points. To have that level of intensity and focus and not drop off, that's what makes you world champions.

"But to do it two seasons in a row, two World Cups in a row, is fantastic. Clearly we're underdogs, clearly.

"I know every coach wants to say they're underdogs but surely we're underdogs against the double world champions. They're favourites and they wear the favourite mantle well.

Big bench risk

It’s becoming increasingly common for head coaches to adopt a 6-2 split on the bench but Springboks head coach Erasmus has gone one step further with seven forwards.

It’s a bold move from the 52-year-old and he has one eye on keeping his forwards fresh to face England next weekend.

Pieter Steph du Toit is among the South Africa replacements (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) The Springboks replacements have almost 400 caps between them and their freshness could be crucial later in the game but Townsend insists Scotland must rise to the challenge.

“There's a risk too,” Townsend replied when asked about the 7-1 split.

“If things go well and you can bring all that 7-1 on, you're going to get a pack there.

"Sometimes it takes a while to get up to that level of intensity required in a Test match but there's a freshness. I think we definitely need to see it as a motivating factor when that bench comes on, whether coming all together or in groups.

"We've got to lift our game up because these guys might be fresher but there is a risk going with 7-1.”

Tom Jordan at fullback

Kinghorn is Scotland’s best fullback but he’s been moved to the wing with Graham missing after failing an HIA and Kyle Rowe through a hamstring injury.

Jordan has been selected at 15 after impressing in that role against Fiji but he’s never started there for Glasgow.

It’s a big test for the 25-year-old against the world champions in only his second cap but Towsend has faith.

Tom Jordan was excellent on his Scotland debut (Image: SNS) “Tom's done it with Glasgow, they have the same defence system,” he added.

“One of his biggest strengths is his running game too. So full back isn't just about dealing with high balls, it's about making sure you take on the defence. So he had the attributes we believe to be a potential fullback to cover there.

"That's why he was covering there last weekend. Then to go out and grab that opportunity, I thought he was excellent in attack. This is a big step up [for Jordan] but we feel it's right for this weekend with the injuries we have.”

Russell returns 

Finn Russell famously referred to himself as the Lionel Messi of rugby and he’s unquestionably Scotland’s talisman.

The Bath fly-half is one of the best in the world in his position and he’s favourite to start for the British and Irish Lions next summer. Adam Hastings impressed against Fiji but he’s dropped out altogether with Russell returning. 

Finn Russell returns for Scotland (Image: Arnold Clark) Townsend explained: "Adam did well, there's a couple of things he can improve, but I thought his play was excellent,.

"He was stand-off when we scored eight tries with three others disallowed, so that means he's been a big part of that. So yeah, it's really the 6-2 split and just now obviously Finn's at number 10 and he's deserved that accolade with how he's been playing this season and for us in the last couple of seasons."

Rassie respect 

Springboks head coach Erasmus has a formidable reputation with rugby and is renowned for his winning mentality.

Townsend has pitted his wits against the double World Cup-winning coach over the years and he believes Erasmus is the best around.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus (Image: PA)

Townsend said: “I think when you meet him away from the Test match itself, he's very intelligent, very respectful, and thinks a lot about the game.

"When you go into the Test match environment, he's competitive, he's a winner.

"He'll do all it takes and more to help his team win.

"He's proven to be the most successful coach of our era in the last four years but even longer than that. We have a lot of respect for their coaching group.”