Scotland — the Springboks’ first opponents at this year’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) — may have failed to reach the knock-out stages of the last tournament but they left a lasting impression.
Their last match at the RWC was one of wonder.
They made a dramatic exit at the hands of hosts Japan in a thoroughly enthralling clash that brought down the curtain on the pool stages of the tournament.
Played while destructive Typhoon Hagibis, that took 121 lives, still breezed northwards, the match was perhaps the most emotionally charged encounter in RWC history.
It was boisterous, yet poignant inside Yokohama Stadium that night, and eventually it was Japan who won the right to play the Springboks, the eventual champions, in the quarterfinals. The Scots, however, vacated the stage heads held high, having put up a fight against the Blossoms, who were a little braver.
Weaker teams would have been blown off course by that result but Scotland stuck with astute coach Gregor Townsend, who has held the position since 2017.
Scotland has, in fact, made steady progress up the world order. They went into yesterday’s clash against France with the potential of climbing to fourth if they beat Les Bleus by 15 points or more in Saint-Étienne.
Townsend hasn’t just brought consistency in the team’s performances but, crucially, depth. That is in part due to the more intense combat Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors are exposed to in the United Rugby Championship.
Scotland may be without their record try scorer Stuart Hogg, who announced his retirement, but in flyhalf Finn Russell and George-born wing Duhan van der Merwe, they have world-class operators.
Elusive wing Darcy Graham commands as much respect off the field, as he demands attention on it.
Van der Merwe, however, is the blockbuster Scotland are hoping to unleash on the world stage. He could potentially renew his rivalry with Cheslin Kolbe whom he last came up against at Test level when he wore a British & Irish Lions jersey in 2021.
The emergence of Canan Moodie, however, provides the Boks an option with which to counter the strapping Van der Merwe. The latter’s aerial skills are well documented but in Moodie the Boks have a player that has risen to every challenge.
Graham is a handful but so too is Johannesburg-born Kyle Steyn, while Sione Tuipulotu and former Western Province centre Huw Jones provide steel in Townsend’s midfield.
Russell’s artistry was belatedly called upon in the Lions’ series but despite limited time, he left no doubt about his quality.
Just as the Boks agonised over injuries, Scotland are hoping to restore first-choice scrumhalf Ben White to fitness. They can still call on the experienced Ali Price who played in all three Tests in the Lions’ series in Cape Town.
Up-front, Scotland had cause for a huge sigh of relief this week. Tighthead prop Zander Fagerson, who was handed a three-match ban for a high tackle in last weekend’s clash against France in Edinburgh, will be available for their RWC opening match.
Instead of missing the game against the Boks, Fagerson will be the beneficiary of the “coaching intervention programme”.
Fagerson’s bullocking qualities are crucial to Scotland’s cause. He is one of the finest tighthead props in the northern hemisphere, not just for his ability to stand his ground in the scrum, but making gain line bending surges in possession.
On the other side of the scrum, the Mbombela-born Pierre Schoeman has cemented his presence in the Scotland pack, while tighthead prop WP Nel, who hails from Loeriesfontein, and loosehead Rory Sutherland, also of Lions’ fame, provide depth.
Hamish Watson, Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist provide grunt elsewhere in the pack.
Scotland will be no easy beats. In their last 10 Tests they have only yielded to Ireland, New Zealand and France.
The Boks though have lost just once to the Scots in their last 15 clashes.
They have met twice in the RWC, both pool matches going in the Boks’ favour.
Scotland were cruelly blown off course in 2019. They will set sail for Marseille confident but not without the nagging sense that it will take more than huff and puff bravery to beat the defending champions.
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