The Springbokswill be back in action for the first time since lifiting the Rugby Championship when they get their Autumn Nations Series campaign underway against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know.
Springboks begin Autumn Nations Series with Murrayfield Test
Andre Esterhuizen’s comments earlier in the week have certainly added a bit of extra spice to proceedings ahead of Sunday’s crunch Test. “I’d much rather have my 18 caps for the Springboks than 70 caps for a different country that I’m not actually born in”, the Hollywoodbets Sharks centre told reporters.
Supporters on both sides have perceived this as a dig at Scotland’s South African-born contingent. Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and his Sharks teammate Dylan Richardson all played for the Scots against Fiji last week, and will be in action again on Sunday.
In terms of team news, Rassie Erasmus has opted to shuffle his pack ahead of this one. Esterhuizen partners Hollywoodbets Sharks centre partner Lukhanyo Am in the midfield. Willie le Roux edges closer to his 100th cap in the 15 jumper while Kwagga Smith brings up his half-century starting at the base of the scrum.
Eben Etzebeth will skipper the side with Siya Kolisi dropping to the bench. With only six days between the Scotland Test and England at Twickenham, he’s probably wanting to keep the skipper fresh. Marco van Staden packs down at 6. Interestingly, Erasmus has opted for a 7-1 split on the timber with Grant Williams the only back amongst the reserves.
The Scots also named their team on Friday afternoon. Gregor Townsend’s men have been bolstered by the return of superstars Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn who were both unavailable against Fiji with that match falling outside the Test window.
Tom Jordan retains his place in 15 jumper so Kinghorn will start on the right wing. Hollywoodbets Sharks utility forward Dylan Richarson starts on the bench and is listed as a hooker, but can play as a loose forward as well. His versatility may be key with the Bok loading their bench with forwards.
How to watch?
This is a bit of an interesting one. We’re not used to seeing the Boks play on a Sunday. The build-up for the encounter starts at 17:00 with the live crossing to Murrayfield at 18:00 on Supersport Grand Stand, channel 201 on DStv.
Betting odds
The World Champions come into this game as favourites, although Scotland’s fine attacking performance against Fiji raised a few eyebrows in Republic. Here at Hollywoodbets, we make the Boks 8.5-point favourites. Check out the full match betting and handicap spread below:
To Win Match
Scotland 31/10 | Draw 23/1 | South Africa 1/4
Handicap
Scotland (+8.5) 9/10 | South Africa (-8.5) 9/10
Murrayfield
All five of Scotland’s wins against the Springboks have come at Murrayfield, with the last of those coming back in November 2010. The sides last met at the ground in 2021, with the Springboks running out 15-30 winners in a game that saw Makazole Mapimpi score a brace.
In total, the sides have met 18 times at the ground, with the Boks leading that particular head-to-head 12-5.
Full-Time: Makazole Mapimpi scored a brace as the @Springboks claimed a 30-15 victory over @Scotlandteam at Murrayfield on Saturday.#SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/JqvIJNgsQM
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) November 13, 2021
Last meeting & head-to-head
These sides last met at the World Cup in Marseille. In that encounter, the Boks would go on to win 18-3, with Kurt-Lee Arendse latching onto that no-look crossfield kick by Manie Libbok. Pieter-Steph du Toit would score the other try in what was a defensive masterclass from the Boks, totally snuffing out Scotland’s much-vaunted attack.
The Boks have won all of the last five encounters between the sides, with an aggregate score of 163-60.
- 28 June 2014: SA won 55-6 in Gqberha.
- 3 October 2015: SA won 34-16 in Newcastle.
- 17 November 2018: SA won 20-26 in Edinburgh.
- 13 November 2021: SA won 15-30 in Edinburgh.
- 10 September 2023: SA won 18-3 in Marseille.
I have to say this. I am still not over this no look cross kick!! Manie Libbok is an absolute baller. pic.twitter.com/GCnxgLKlJ0
— Mr Klopp and the Big Scousers 🔴 (@GoalMatip_) October 11, 2023
Teams
Scotland
15 Tom Jordan, 14 Blair Kinghorn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Jamie Ritchie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Stafford McDowall
Springboks
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Grant Williams
5️⃣0️⃣ up for Kwagga Smith on Sunday as a couple of injured stalwarts return to the #Springboks team to face Scotland in Edinburgh - more here: https://t.co/4YzPoQb0qY 🦓#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ADqPo2iyvL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2024
