Having said that, the home side go into this clash on the back of a morale boosting victory against Australia last weekend and recent notable wins against England, France and Italy during the 2021 Six Nations.
Scotland’s Chris Harris is relishing the prospect of facing South Africa again after tasting defeat at the hands of the Springbok in Cape Town during this year’s British & Irish Lions tour.
The centre was one of eight Scotland internationals involved in the Lions’ 2-1 series loss in South Africa in July and August where Dark Blues coach Gregor Townsend and defence chief Steve Tandy were among Warren Gatland’s backroom staff.
Scotland VS South Africa
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made four changes to the team, with strong South African flavour, to face the Springboks in Glasgow on Saturday.
The Scots, fresh from a win over Australia, have changed two in the forward pack and two in the backline, and with that sees the return of centre Matt Scott after he last turned out for the side four years ago.
As expected, the half-back pairing of Ali Price and Finn Russell will pull the strings for the Scottish backs while Rufus McLean starts on the right wing.
In the forwards department, Hamish Watson has dropped to the bench with Nick Haining coming into the loose trio and Stuart McInally starting at hooker.
The South African connection in the team sees Pierre Schoeman start at prop for his third Scottish cap, Duhan van der Merwe on the wing with Oli Kebble covering prop from the bench.
For the Springboks, Franco Mostert and Jesse Kriel will earn their 50th Test caps in Edinburgh and in other team news coach Jacques Nienaber has recalled Elton Jantjies and Willie le Roux to the starting team.
27-year-old Kriel made his Test debut against Argentina in 2015 but Mostert, who turns 31 at the end of the month, had to wait a year longer for his first cap which was against Ireland in 2016.
Elsewhere, veteran Frans Steyn is in line to set a new South African record for the longest international rugby career.
Should he take the field, Steyn will edge Victor Matfield, whose career spanned over 14 years and 122 days, as the player with the longest Springbok career by becoming the first South African to play Test rugby over 15 calendar years.
Nienaber made two rotational switches and one injury enforced change to the starting side that defeated Wales 23-18 with Mostert coming in at lock and Elton Jantjies earning a run at flyhalf while Lood de Jager and Handré Pollard moving to the bench.
Le Roux has been named to take over at fullback from Damian Willemse, who has to follow concussion return to play protocols after taking a knock to the head last week.
Pick: South Africa Wins by 0.37 at BetXChange
