Sometimes picking a Test match XV and replacements is straightforward but that is never the case when it comes to facing the Springboks, especially in South Africa.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will need to make some big calls while balancing picking the team he wants to play in his way against choosing a side to match up physically to their opponents. The most important call will be in the pack - who starts and who comes on as a replacement which is equally as important in modern international rugby.
Meanwhile, in the backs, the return of Finn Russell also poses some questions after so many performed well in Argentina last time out. Here is our predicted starting XV for this Saturday’s Nations Championship match against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld:
1. Pierre Schoeman
It will be fascinating to see how Townsend approaches front row starters and replacements for this match. The Edinburgh man started against Argentina and scored on his 50th cap and will likely retain that position in Pretoria | SNS Group / SRU
2. Ewan Ashman
Gregor Hiddleston made an impact off the bench with a try on debut last time out so Scotland will be hoping that he and Ashman can successfully mange the full 80 minutes between them with the Edinburgh man likely in from the start | SNS Group / SRU
3. Will Hurd
Townsend has occasionally made the call to use his best tight-head option, Zander Fagerson, from the bench in the past including last weekend in Cordoba. Elliot Millar Mills is out injured so the Leicester Tigers man could get the chance to step up and make an impact | SNS Group
4. Jonny Gray
There's an argument to be made that you should always pick your biggest and heaviest pack against the Boks and Gray obviously fits that game plan. His size and experience could prove useful in Pretoria | SNS Group / SRU