Scots to front up to 'simple' Boks
Scotland feel that if they 'front up physically' to South Africa at Murrayfield on Saturday they will be able to beat a Springbok team that plays a very 'simple and direct' game.
Despite their 22-51 loss to New Zealand last week, the Scots have been talking themselves up all week – confident that they can turn around their fortunes in a week.
Scotland made two changes to their starting XV – Euan Murray restored at No.3, having missed the New Zealand game due to his religious observance, and David Denton starting in at No.8. The uncapped Peter Murchie has been selected for a Scotland matchday 23 for the first time
The Zimbabwean-born and South African-schooled Scottish eighthman, David Kipling Denton, does not see this as bigger than any other game.
"Every game you play for your country is a massive game," he said, after being named to face up to the South Africans for only his eighth Test cap.
He feels the Boks' approach to the game suits his style of play.
"It is a massive opportunity for me to test myself against a group of players that play the type of rugby that I try to play, [they are] probably the best in the world [at it]," Denton said.
Asked about South Africa's direct game, which is a far cry from the expansive approach that saw the All Blacks effectively dismantle Scotland last week, he said they are very effective at what they do.
"They play a very simple and direct game, but it is very effective," Denton said, adding: "They do what they do very well."
The Scottish No.8 was confident that the home team will have the measure of their bruising opponents.
"We have to get them on the floor as quickly as we can and challenge for the ball. If we do that and front up physically we are in with a real chance."
Obviously beating the Boks would be a huge boost to Scotland's world ranking ahead of the World Cup draw next month. Currently in ninth place, the Scots must beat both SA and Tonga in their remaining year-end Tests to move up into the second tier (positions five to eight) for a more favourable World Cup draw.
"We are very aware of that, but all we think about is that we are playing the No.2 ranked team in the world at the weekend," Denton said, adding: "They are a very physical side and we want to win – you don't need any more [motivation] than that to win a Test match."
Denton, who qualified for Scotland through his mother, Joy, who was born in Glasgow, attended Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape, before going to Edinburgh University to study economics.
He played for Eastern Province in the Craven Week and was selected for the 2010 Scotland Under-20 squad.
He made his Scotland debut off the bench in August 2011, becoming his country’s 1023 international player.
