South Africa vs Scotland: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channels, team news, lineups, venue, odds
The Springboks won the Webb Ellis Cup for a record third time in Yokohama four years ago after beating England in the final, but will need to be at their best from the start if they are to progress from a very difficult Group B.
South Africa and Scotland will also each face Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland, currently ranked as the best team in the world, while Romania and Tonga complete the group. The top two finishers reach the quarterfinals.
In their final game before traveling to France, South Africa beat 14-man New Zealand 35-7 at Twickenham, a week after they beat Wales in similar fashion.
Gregor Townsend’s Scots, meanwhile, beat second-tier France last month before suffering a narrow defeat to a much stronger Les Bleus side as they put in a performance that will give them confidence to make an impact at the World Cup.
Date, kick-off time and venue
The South Africa vs Scotland match will take place on Sunday 10 September 2023 and starts at 4:45pm BST.
The venue for the game is the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Where to watch South Africa vs Scotland?
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast live and free on ITV1, with coverage starting at 3:55pm.
Live broadcast: Fans can also watch a free live stream online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow all the action of the game Standard sportis the special match blog.
Team news South Africa vs Scotland
Siya Kolisi is back for South Africa. The inspirational Springboks captain made a remarkable recovery from injury and was fit again in time to lead his country in France. He underwent knee surgery in April and made a successful return against Wales last month.
However, South Africa will be without experienced fly-half Handre Pollard (calf) and center Lukhanyo Am (knee) for this tournament.
Boks coach Jacques Nienaber has made four changes to the team that dismantled the All Blacks, calling his team to face Scotland two days early.
Cheslin Kolbe is back on the wing at the expense of Makazole Mapimpi, who isn’t even named among the substitutes. Centers Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel replace Andre Esterhuizen and the injured Canan Moodie. Jasper Wiese is also at number 8, Duane Vermeulen is on the bench.
Damian Willemse is selected ahead of Willie le Roux at full-back, while Nienaber opts for a 6-2 selection on the bench following his much-discussed 7-1 win against New Zealand.
Ben White is fit again for Scotland after worrying about an ankle injury
/ Action images via ReutersScrum-half Ben White is fit for Scotland for the World Cup after suffering an injury scare in the first warm-up game against France. He recovered from his ankle problem and started the last game against Georgia.
Stuart McInally, Murphy Walker, Josh Bayliss and Jamie Dobie were the four dropped from the initial 37-man training squad.
Scotland feature five changes from the team that beat Georgia, with Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson and Richie Gray all returning to the field. Blair Kinghorn is deployed at fullback, which is the only change in defense.
Lineups South Africa vs. Scotland
South Africa XV: D Willemse; K. Arendse, J. Kriel, D. de Allende, C. Kolbe; M. Libbok, F. de Klerk; S. Kitshoff, M. Marx, F. Malherbe; E Etzebeth, F Mostert; S Kolisi (c), P du Toit, J Wiese
Substitute: B Mbonambi, O Nche, T Nyakane, R Snyman, M van Staden, D Vermeulen, G Williams, W le Roux
Scotland XV: royal horn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z. Fagerson; R. Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (c), Darge, Dempsey
Substitute: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith
South Africa vs Scotland prediction
A win in this game would put both sides in a great position to qualify for the quarter-finals, which would ease some of the pressure ahead of the game against Ireland.
It’s hard to look beyond the Springboks as this forward group is capable of overpowering any team in the world, and this big win over New Zealand was an important sign on the way to serious business.
Scotland might be able to stay in touch in the first hour, but the reinforcements from the bench should ensure South Africa can pull away.
South Africa wins by 15 points.
Head-to-head history (h2h) and results
Scotland have not beaten South Africa since 2010 and have won just one of the last 15 games between the two teams.
Scotland wins: 5
South Africa wins: 23
Draw: 0
Latest odds for South Africa vs Scotland
South Africa wins: 1/6
Scotland to win: 4/1
Draw: 30/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/rugby/south-africa-vs-scotland-rugby-world-cup-2023-kick-off-time-tv-channel-live-stream-team-news-lineups-odds-today-b1105199.html South Africa vs Scotland: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channels, team news, lineups, venue, odds
