Scots a major threat

Springbok forwards coach Matt Proudfoot‚ who earned four caps for Scotland in the early 2000s‚ expects a different challenge to what they had last week when SA meet the Scots at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scotland‚ under coach Gregor Townsend‚ have evolved their game from a set piecedominated unit to a team that plays more expansively.

The Boks have won the last five matches between the sides‚ the last coming in Newcastle at Rugby World Cup 2015 when SA won 34-16‚ but this is a very different Scotland to the one they faced three years ago.

In the past two seasons, Scotland have won eight of their last nine Tests at home – the only defeat a narrow 22-17 loss against the All Blacks.

Since that loss to the world champions, Scotland have beaten Australia‚ France‚ England and Fiji at home.

In flyhalf Finn Russell and fullback Stuart Hogg‚ Scotland have two of the most explosive backs in the northern hemisphere game.

“They are going to be difficult. They are a very good side‚” Proudfoot said.

“What Gregor has done with the team is give them a lot of momentum. I think the resources are well utilised and they are a tough side to beat.

“The challenge at the breakdown and the contact point is always crucial in Test rugby.

“The difference [compared with the French game] is that Scotland are probably a lot better technically in the defensive contact situations.”

Proudfoot also lauded some of the other Scottish strengths: “Their continuity play and their ability to apply a kicking game. They are also a very disciplined side who are able to defend for long phases.”

Scotland strengthened their side on Wednesday as Townsend made six changes to his starting lineup.

There is a first outing in the November internationals for loosehead prop Gordon Reid, while hooker Stuart McInally, locks Jonny Gray and Ben Toolis and flanker Hamish Watson return to the pack.

Huw Jones is the only change in the backline in place of Alex Dunbar.

“We expect South Africa to be confrontational and powerful in their ball carrying, their defence and also at set-piece time,” Townsend said. –