Scotland vs South Africa predictions: Super Springboks can sink Scots

Scotland’s second international of the autumn could hardly be tougher for Gregor Townsend’s side as they host reigning world champions South Africa at Murrayfield for the first time since 2021. The Scots will be hoping that their performance in their last match will lead them to a memorable success, with the hosts comfortably seeing off an underwhelming Fiji 57-17 last Saturday.

The Springboks, meanwhile, have not played since they sealed their second Rugby Championship title with an emphatic 48-7 victory over Argentina in September, however rustiness is not expected to be an issue for the number two-ranked nation.

Match odds - Scotland vs South Africa

World champions South Africa are the favourites for success in this contest at 2/7, whereas hosts Scotland are 3/1 to claim a famous win in Edinburgh.

A draw can be backed at 22/1, while Canan Moodie is tipped to open the try scoring at 7/1 for the Boks.

Team news

Gregor Townsend has made four changes to the XV who started in the win over Fiji last time out, with each of these alterations coming in the back seven.

Finn Russell returns at fly-half in place of Adam Hastings, while full-back Tom Jordan makes his first start ahead of Kyle Rowe.

The other changes see scrum-half Ali Price and winger Darcy Graham make way for the experienced duo of Ben White and Blair Kinghorn.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus, meanwhile, has made no less than 11 alterations to the XV who thrashed Argentina in their last international, with three of the four men keeping their places in the scrum.

Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and captain Eben Etzebeth all maintain their starting sports, as well as Jaden Hendrikse at scrum-half, while the likes of Handre Pollard, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie le Roux - who were all key members of the 2023 World Cup winning squad - come into the starting line-up.

South Africa to win by 1-12 points inclusive @ 7/4

Scotland have been impressive in recent internationals, but backing them to claim victory against one of the sternest forward lines in the business seems too tall of an order for the hosts.

The Scots thrashed the likes of Canada (73-12), USA (42-7) and Chile (52-11) in the summer, however, they won just one of their two home Six Nations fixtures earlier this year, while they last got the better of South Africa at Murrayfield back in 2010.

The Springboks, on the other hand, have lost just twice since lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy last October, both by just a single point, against Ireland and Argentina.

Erasmus’ men have won five of their last six away matches, including a 52-16 success in Wales last year.

South Africa’s quality should shine once again on Sunday, but Scotland can still be expected to give the Boks a stern test and an away victory by no more than 12 points shows a lot of promise.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.