Mini Scotland v Springboks Test match looms as Kyle Steyn returns and Glasgow Warriors make big call at 13

The South African side are coming north with a smattering of Springboks and Warriors head coach Smith has responded in kind by picking 11 full Scotland internationals in his starting XV.

His team features the return of five players who will be playing for the first time since the Six Nations. Leading the cast-list is captain Kyle Steyn, the winger having recovered quicker than expected from a stress fracture in his foot. Zander Fagerson is also back to anchor the Glasgow scrum, as is his brother Matt who forms part of a super-charged back row alongside Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey.

The returning quintet should be refreshed and ready for what is likely to be a hugely physical challenge against a team who hold the accolade of being the last side to beat Glasgow at Scotstoun.

Smith was keen to play it down, but there is a good rivalry between these sides; how could there not be given their shared history? It was the Bulls who Glasgow famously beat in the final of the United Rugby Championship two years ago, besting them in their own backyard. That was a victory that cemented their status as serious players. And while Smith was keen to distance himself from talk of grudges he couldn’t help but bring up the famous 2024 victory at Loftus Versfeld.

No need for an ‘unnecessary rivalry’

When asked if the Bulls’ win at Scotstoun last season had been spoken about this week and used as motivation, he said: “No, not as much as they would have spoken about us beating them in that final.

“So, no, it wasn't mentioned. It's not what happens in our environment. It's about what needs to be done: the focus was absolutely on the next game. We've beaten them since [last season], so I think it's old news now to hammer something like that. I don't want to make an unnecessary rivalry because it's not. This is about knockout rugby and delivering the best version of ourselves that we can.”

This is the 14th knockout game Glasgow have played under Smith who took charge in 2022. Their record is won eight, lost five.

“We've experienced quite a bit,” reflected Smith. “In saying that, every knockout game has got a different challenge. [But] you would have known from previous experience we don't change much. We stick to process.”

And the process has been successful. As well as the triumph of 2024, there was a run to the European Challenge Cup final in Smith’s first season in charge and a defeat by Leinster in last year’s URC semis.

Glasgow have given themselves the best chance possible in the top-tier club tournament this season by winning all their pool games with a bonus point. It was a superlative effort which included a spectacular comeback victory over six-time winners Toulouse. Their reward is a home pathway up to and including the semi-finals - if they can win their games.

Stuttering Bulls won one of four

The Bulls, by contrast, stuttered through the group phase. They won only one of four matches, beating Paul 26-24 in France in the final round after defeats by Bordeaux, Bristol and Northampton Saints. They conceded 157 points across those three losses but still made it to the last 16 thanks to the competition’s generous qualification rules which mean that the top four from each six-team group go through.

Having scraped into the round of 16, head coach Johan Ackermann intends to make the most of it and has selected a team laden with heavy-hitters who are unlikely to be fazed but the storm which is forecast for Saturday.

“By any perspective, they're a good team,” said Smith. “They've brought 14 Springboks on tour. They're finding form. They've got a coach that has achieved quite a lot already in his coaching career. So they are finding their feet, they're determined. It's a quality team.

“I know the players really well. Marcel Coetzee is used to this part of the world. He played here for a long time. Handre Pollard has played on this side of the world, with Leicester the last (few) years. They would know the conditions.

“They've got a lot of continuity and a big pack of forwards, with some quality young guys back, like (Cameron) Hanekom. (Embrose) Papier and Zak Burger, the two scrum-halves, are both very electric players. So like us, they've got really, really good players.”

Stafford McDowall selected ahead of Huw Jones

Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie can be added to the rollcall, two dangerous attackers who will need to be shackled.

Interestingly, Smith has opted for Stafford McDowall instead of Huw Jones at outside centre. The coach admitted it had been a tough decision but he felt that McDowall’s left boot could be an important asset.

“I can't remember when Stafford's had a bad game for us,” said the coach. “He's always played well. I think from an international perspective, the Huwi-Tuipulotu combination is very well known and very well respected. [McDowall’s] missed out on some opportunities even if he played well, just because the other two are also playing well. He just has a different skill set.”

There are also changes halfback, where George Horne and Dan Lancaster come in for the benched Ben Afshar and Adam Hastings, and at hooker where Gregor Hiddleston returns and Johnny Matthews drops out. In addition, Alex Samuel replaces Jare Oguntibeju in the second row.

Glasgow have won their last two URC matches against Leinster and Benetton without some of their big guns which is a source of satisfaction for Smith. The one negative was the news that Alex Samuel has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The lock ripped a tendon underneath his big toe during the Benetton game last week.

Glasgow Warriors v Bulls teams

Investec Champions Cup, round of 16 (Scotstoun, Saturday, 5.30pm)

Glasgow Warriors: 15. Josh McKay; 14. Kyle Steyn (c), 13. Stafford McDowall, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Ollie Smith; 10. Dan Lancaster, 9. George Horne; 1. Patrick Schickerling, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Max Williamson, 5. Alex Samuel, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Jack Dempsey. Replacements: 16. Seb Stephen, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Olujare Oguntibeju, 20. Euan Ferrie, 21. Angus Fraser, 22. Ben Afshar, 23. Adam Hastings.

Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel; 14. Cheswill Jooste, 13. Canan Moodie, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse; 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Embrose Papier; 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Johann Grobbelaar, 3. Francois Klopper, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. Ruan Nortje, 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 7. Elrigh Louw, 8. Cameron Hanekom. Replacements: 16. Marco van Staden, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Jeandre Rudolph, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Stedman Gans, 23. Willie le Roux.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra).