Gregor Townsend considered Scotland first for South Africa test before rowing back - 'disappointed in myself'

Russell has recovered from a calf injury and returns to the starting side for the clash with the world champions in Pretoria. The stand-off missed the win over Argentina last weekend as Scotland got their inaugural Nations Championship campaign off to an impressive start with a 47-38 victory in Cordoba.

His inclusion in place of the benched Tom Jordan is one of three alterations made by Townsend to his starting side. The others are in the pack as Zander Fagerson starts at tighthead prop following Elliot Millar Mills’ tour-ending injury and Gregor Brown replaces Jonny Gray in the second row.

But it is on the bench where the biggest changes have been made. Townsend has opted for a six-two split of forwards and backs in a bid to match South Africa’s physicality and the coach revealed he even considered a seven-one split, something Scotland have never done before. In the end, he went with two physical backs in the shape of Jordan and Stafford McDowall to complement the six forwards.

Bench can bring energy

“I think the bench is going to have a big impact,” said Townsend. “We feel that bench is going to bring energy. It's two physical back-line players, but it's more [about] the six forwards. We know that the forwards are going to be the ones that are really going to be tested this week against the best pack in world rugby, the best team in world rugby right now.

“I'm a bit disappointed in myself that we didn't go seven-one. We discussed a lot during the week. I'd been pre-empting the discussion with the coaches over the last month, and in the end we went for six-two, so it's traditional for us.”

Scotland have added muscle to the bench by bringing in Edinburgh back-rower Magnus Bradbury and the versatile Bath forward Josh Bayliss. Will Hurd is the back-up tighthead. It means George Horne, Fergus Burke and Darcy Graham all drop out.

South Africa, who named their team on Monday, also have a six-two replacements split of forwards and backs.

Scotland last played the Springboks in 2024 when they lost 33-15 at Murrayfield but they have not faced them in South Africa since 2014.

Russell, with 94 caps, is the most experienced player in Townsend’s team and the coach believes his influence could be key against such esteemed opposition.

‘Superb athletes’

“Obviously he's someone that's played a lot of games for us, and we'd want him back in the team to face such a quality opponent,” Townsend said.

He expects South Africa to come at Scotland hard and fast as well as posing a huge test in the set-piece.

“We're definitely going to be up against it physically and we're going to relish those challenges,” said the coach. “You know what's happening when you play the Boks. They're going to be really physical in their defence. They're going to come at you. It is a unique defence, line speed and forcing you back inside. There's going to be a challenge around the set-piece, the scrum and the maul.

“Also, when they carry the ball, they've got a real mix to their game. They've got innovation, they've got superb athletes, but their A game is coming around the corner and carrying hard at you. So, there's going to be times in the game where they get the upper hand.

“I would hope that there'll be times in the game when we've caused them problems. So, yes, it's about building on those and making sure that when the momentum is in the favour of South Africa, we can wrestle it back quickly.”

Scotland team to play South Africa

Nations Championship, Loftus Versfeld, Saturday, 4.40pm BST:

Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe; 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (capt), 11 Jamie Dobie; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21, Magnus Bradbury, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall.