South Africa vs Scotland Prediction: Scots to give Boks a scare

Following an impressive victory down in Argentina in their Nations Championship opener, Scotland head to Pretoria for the ultimate test of facing world champions South Africa in their own backyard on Saturday evening (5:40pm local, 4:40pm BST, ITV1).

Below are my South Africa vs Scotland predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash at Loftus Versfeld.

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South Africa vs Scotland Odds

South Africa are the understandable favourites at 1/10 for the win in Pretoria, while Scotland are 6/1 to fly home to Edinburgh on the back of a famous win.

A draw at Loftus Versfeld is currently 33/1, while the Scots to be leading at the half-time whistle is priced at 7/2.

Team News

Starting with the Springboks, the hosts go with Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw in the front row, with locks Cobus Wiese and Ruan Nortje in the engine room.

Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Evan Roos complete the pack, while Embrose Papier and Handre Pollard start in the half-backs.

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are the centres, while the Boks go with a back three of Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe and Aphelele Fassi.

As for Scotland, head coach Gregor Townsend has gone with Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Zander Fagerson in the front row, with Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings in the second row.

Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form the back row, while Ben White partners Finn Russell, who returns from a calf injury to start on Saturday.

Sione Tuipulotu and Rory Hutchinson combine again in the centres, while Scotland stick with a back three of Jamie Dobie, Kyle Steyn and Kyle Rowe.

Scotland +17 handicap @ 20/21

Following an impressive 47-38 win over Argentina in Cordoba, Scotland will look for a repeat of that attacking performance against the Springboks.

South Africa go into this game on the back of an emphatic 45-21 win over England but head coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes, with big names like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe not in the squad.

A more settled Scotland side have an opportunity to give the Boks a run for their money and, with British & Irish Lions star Russell back in the No. 10 jersey, the Scots are good value at 20/21 with a generous +17 handicap.

Kyle Steyn anytime tryscorer @ 6/4

Russell’s return brings with it the threat of his cross-field kicking game and that should benefit Scotland winger Steyn.

South African-born Steyn has established himself as one of the best wingers in the air in the game, and Russell has the pinpoint kicking accuracy to find his man in the wide channels.

Having scored against New Zealand, Wales and bagged a brace of tries against France, Steyn is good value to add another try to his Test collection on Saturday.