 Rory Lamont is set to earn his 18th cap against the Springboks |
Scotland coach Frank Hadden has made just one change to his team to face South Africa, with fit-again Rory Lamont replacing his brother Sean. The match against the Springboks will be the Sale player's first cap since March's Calcutta Cup match. Rory comes in on the left wing after Sean was ruled out of Scotland's remaining autumn Tests with a hamstring injury sustained against New Zealand. South Africa have named an unchanged side after their 20-15 win over Wales. Captain John Smit, who will win his 80th cap on Saturday to equal Os Du Randt's Springboks record for a forward, will remain in his new role at tight-head prop, having switched from hooker.  | Alasdair Strokosch can consider himself very unlucky Scotland coach Frank Hadden |
"We were a bit lacklustre against Wales but you shouldn't under-estimate the advantage of playing at home," Smit said. "We were pleased that Wales were unable to score any tries against us. We've put a lot of work into defence." Scotland have retained Simon Webster in their squad as cover for the rest of the week after Thom Evans missed training on Monday with a stiff neck. Hadden has also decided to keep Gloucester's Alasdair Strokosch with the pool as back-up, after locks Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton both missed Monday's session with wrist and ankle injuries respectively. | MY SPORT: DEBATE |
However, the Scotland coach is hoping those two will both be fit for what he expects to be a robust battle of the packs. "If you don't front up physically against South Africa, you don't get into the game," said Hadden. "We're expecting a big confrontation and that is reflected in the pack we've gone for. "We created a lot of opportunities against New Zealand. We're determined to turn them into points this weekend." Hadden said Strokosch was not too far away from a place in the starting line-up. "Strokosch can consider himself very unlucky," added the coach. "But Jason is way ahead of Al in terms of his understanding of the line-out." There was no place in the pool for Simon Taylor, who was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up on Saturday with a calf strain. South Africa coach Peter de Villiers named the same starting XV team that defeated Wales 20-15 on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium. Centre Adi Jacobs and lock Bakkies Botha were doubtful, but both men have been passed fit. "Bakkies saw a specialist this morning and was given the all-clear," De Villiers told www.sarfu.org.za. "It's a big boost to the team - you saw the impact he had in the first 40 minutes against Wales and we're glad to have him back. "I decided on an unchanged team to maintain consistency and allow this team to establish themselves as the core 22. "We have brought a squad of 28 players but that does not necessarily mean that every player will play on this tour. Players will have to work for their places."
Scotland team: Chris Paterson, Thom Evans, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Rory Lamont, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (capt), Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Nathan Hines, Jim Hamilton, Jason White, John Barclay, Allister Hogg.
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Matt Mustchin, Scott Gray, Rory Lawson, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell. South Africa: Conrad Jantjes, J P Pietersen, Adi Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck de Plessis, John Smit (capt), Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Brian Mujati, Gurthro Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Frans Steyn, Jaque Fourie.
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