Scotland flanker relishing South Africa back row battle and explains why Pretoria altitude won't be a problem

Gregor Townsend’s side head to Loftus Versfeld for their second Test of the 2026 Nations Championship where they will face a much changed Springboks team from the one that hammered England 45-21 last weekend. However, the strength in depth available to the back-to-back world champions means even their less familiar faces will still see them start the match as heavy favourites.

The back row is made up of DHL Stormers duo Evan Roos and Paul de Villiers who join two time World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year winner Pieter-Steph du Toit. The 96-times capped Toyota Verblitz star captains the Boks’ from the seven jersey which will most likely make him Darge’s opposite number if the 26-year-old is named in the Scotland starting XV as expected.

Battle of the number 7s as Rory Darge set to face ‘great player’ Pieter-Steph du Toit

“He's right up there, isn't he?” said Darge on South Africa counterpart du Toit. “Particularly in the big games, I think in that World Cup as well. The semi is one of the performances that everyone looks at and can see what a great player he is.

“It's a massive role in the back row. We know we're going up against some outstanding players there. In particular, Paul de Villiers going after the ball against England, really slowing down their ball and disrupting it.

“It's definitely a challenge and they've got a mindset across their team to disrupt your ball. We just have to do what we can to stop them.

“They’re a physical side. They've usually got a very strong set-piece and they use it well. Great athletes, particularly in the wide channels, some of the best in the world. I agree, it's definitely one of the toughest challenges going against South Africa at Loftus.”

Scotland players accustomed to playing at altitude as URC experiences of Loftus Versfeld set to pay dividends

Darge has faced South Africa twice with Scotland before, both defeats, and has come up against most of the Boks’ team for this weekend’s game when facing their club sides with Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. The introduction of the four Southern Hemisphere teams to the competition has also given the Scotland players the opportunity to experience playing at venues like Loftus Versfeld at altitude.

Knowing how that impacts the body and an athletes performance, Darge is comfortable with what to expect, explaining: “You have to experienced that. We've all played at altitude before or a lot of us have played at altitude before and know what to expect.

“I think it's one of those things that when you first experience it, it's always just that initial shock, and then as the game goes on, it becomes a game of rugby. It's something that once you know what to expect, you're better suited to dealing with it.

“Both games [Scotland v South Africa in 2023 and 2024] they were a hard team to play against. They do their things very well. The physicality side of things, the set-piece, the athletes within their side, they're really trying to disrupt your play and take you away from your game around the breakdown and your own attack.

“In terms of how it prepares you, I think there is bits from those games you can look at. But both teams are so different now and evolved and with different players.”

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