Scotland pose massive threat to South Africa, says Erasmus

RASSIE Erasmus says South Africa must be ready to grasp their opportunities against Scotland at Murrayfield tomorrow.

The Springboks recovered from being 14 points down early in the second half against France at the weekend to claim victory in Paris.

Les Bleus were unable to withstand the pressure put upon them by the visitors as they allowed the South Africans to pinch a 29-26 win.

And head coach Erasmus, the former Munster chief, believes his team will have to be just as opportunistic when they take on a Scotland side whose only defeat in their 11 previous home Tests was against the All Blacks.

He said: “Scotland are a wellcoached side, they are difficult to break down and they will present us with a very tough challenge at Murrayfield.”

South Africa have made two changes to their starting lineup and another two positional switches.

Former Toulon forward Duane Vermeulen moves back to number eight in place of the injured Warren Whiteley, while Pieter-Steph du Toit will pack down at blindside flanker having started against England and France at lock.

With former skipper Eben Etzebeth still recovering from the injury he sustained in their narrow defeat to Eddie Jones’ England, RG Snyman takes over in the second row.

The only other change to the starting team is at scrum-half, where Embrose Papier will earn his first starting cap.

Erasmus added: “Eben is still not fully fit and this gives RG Snyman another great opportunity to start. Moving Duane and Pieter-Steph around in the pack isn’t disrupting at all, as both of them are very experienced and have played for us in these positions earlier in the season.” Leader: Rassie Erasmus takes South Africa training session in Edinburgh