Tom Jordan will make his first start for Scotland at full-back against South Africa on 10 November at Murrayfield. Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn, and Ben White return to the lineup after missing the previous match. South Africa, led by captain Eben Etzebeth, presents a formidable challenge, having previously beaten Scotland 18-3 last autumn. The match highlights Scotland’s aspirations to improve upon their historical record against the Springboks.
On Sunday, 10 November, Tom Jordan will make his first start for Scotland at full-back in their highly anticipated match against world champions South Africa at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. This fixture is part of the Autumn Nations Series, which begins at 16:10 GMT. Scotland will also welcome back key players Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn, along with scrum-half Ben White, all of whom missed last week’s substantial victory over Fiji, where Scotland won 57-17. Jordan, a New Zealand native, typically plays as a fly-half for Glasgow Warriors, but he showcased his versatility by performing impressively as a substitute full-back in the previous game. Notably, Darcy Graham will miss the match due to a concussion, allowing Kinghorn to step in on the wing. Additionally, Ali Price and Adam Hastings have been omitted from the squad, while Jamie Dobie has been retained as the back-up option at scrum-half. The rivalry between these two teams is marked by intensity, as evidenced by the Springboks’ previous 18-3 victory over Scotland last autumn, which began their successful World Cup defense. Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, acknowledged the formidable challenge presented by the Springboks, stating, “It’s the biggest challenge in world rugby right now. They are double world champions and they are in fantastic form.” South Africa’s squad features Eben Etzebeth as captain, with Siya Kolisi starting on the bench. Following long-term injuries, Franco Mostert and RG Snyman return to the matchday squad, with Mostert starting. Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of South Africa, has made numerous changes to the lineup since the last game against Argentina, highlighting the depth of talent available to the team. Townsend elaborated on the Springboks’ game style, mentioning, “When you think of the Springboks, you think of physicality, but there’s an extra dimension. They are very innovative around set-piece and they move the ball wide with pace. We expect an open game and a game that will test us over every minute.” Historically, Scotland has faced South Africa 29 times, only emerging victorious five times, with the last triumph dating back to 2010, which underscores the significance of this upcoming match for Scotland. The seamless integration of Jordan and the return of key players provides Scotland with an optimistic outlook as they aim for a significant performance against a world-class opponent.
The match between Scotland and South Africa represents a critical engagement within the Autumn Nations Series, a key fixture in international rugby. Scotland’s preparation for this encounter follows a significant win against Fiji, demonstrating their current form and capability in the sport. By introducing Tom Jordan as a full-back, Scotland not only seeks to implement new strategies but also aims to leverage the strength of returning players to enhance their competitive edge against South Africa, a team renowned for its physicality and depth. The historical context of their meetings adds an additional layer of intrigue, as Scotland aims to break a long-standing pattern of defeats against the Springboks.
In conclusion, Scotland is set to face South Africa in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Tom Jordan’s debut at full-back and the return of pivotal players position Scotland favorably. Under the guidance of Coach Gregor Townsend, Scotland looks to overcome historical challenges against the Springboks. With both teams demonstrating significant changes and strategies, the match at Murrayfield could potentially highlight a turning point for Scotland’s national team.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
