Two changes as Boks face Scots
The Springbok team to face Scotland on Saturday has two changes from the one that beat Ireland last weekend.
Gurthrö Steenkamp (at loosehead prop) and Juan de Jongh (outside centre) have been named in the starting line-up at Murrayfield.
Steenkamp replaces CJ van der Linde in the No.1 jersey, after the latter took over as late replacement from Tendai Mtawarira last weekend.
De Jongh replaces Jaco Taute at outside centre.
Both Van der Linde and Taute have been included on the bench.
In total, the Springbok team has 416 Test caps in the starting 15 – 150 of them amongst the forwards and 266 in the backline.
"It's great to have Gurthrö back – we wanted to select him last week, but unfortunately he was not 100 percent fit," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"Gurthrö is experienced, knows the conditions well and is looking forward to returning to the Green and Gold as he's not played for South Africa for more than a year.
"Juan is in a similar position. Even though he's played in a number of Tests for us this year, he's not started for the Boks since last year's away leg of the Castle Tri-Nations against New Zealand in Wellington.
"My plan has always been to give him a start on this tour, as he's been playing very well lately, and I'm excited to see what he brings to the team on Saturday."
Heinke van der Merwe, a late replacement on the bench for Van der Linde last weekend, has kept his place among the reserves.
Saturday's Test will be the 22nd between South Africa and Scotland since they first met in 1906. Of these, the Boks have won 16 and lost five, which includes the last time they played, in 2010. On that occasion, the Scots won, 21-17.
"Our focus has been on improving from our performance against Ireland last week," said Meyer.
"We saw the match between Scotland and New Zealand and that the Scots scored three tries against the All Blacks – which is more than any other team has managed against them this year.
"It was their first Test back since their season started and they will not be an easy opponent on Saturday, but we've also brushed off some cobwebs in Dublin and have had a good week on the training field.
"We lost on our last visit to Edinburgh and realise Saturday will be a massive battle, but it's one we are looking forward to."
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Date: Saturday, November 17
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT; 16.30 SA time)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Christophe Berdos (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
