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Scotland start Jordan at full-back against South Africa

Tom Jordan will make his first Scotland start against world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Star duo Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn return, along with scrum-half Ben White, having all been unavailable for last weekend’s 57-17 win over Fiji.

New Zealand-born Jordan, usually deployed at fly-half by Glasgow Warriors, impressed as a replacement full-back in that game and stays there.

Darcy Graham misses out after a concussion, with Kinghorn taking his place on the wing.

Ali Price and Adam Hastings drop out, with Jamie Dobie kept on as the back-up number nine option.

Last autumn, the Springboks began their successful World Cup defence with a suffocating 18-3 win over Scotland.

“It’s the biggest challenge in world rugby right now,” Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said.

“They are double world champions and they are in fantastic form. They won the Rugby Championship and have been able to play different teams and show their depth is so strong.”

Eben Etzebeth captains South Africa as Siya Kolisi starts on the bench.

Locks Franco Mostert and RG Snyman return after long-term injury absences, the former starting and the latter on the bench.

With number eight Kwagga Smith earning his 50th cap in Edinburgh, head coach Rassie Erasmus has made 11 changes from the side that defeated Argentina in September.

“When you think of the Springboks you think of physicality, but there’s an extra dimension,” Townsend added. “They are very innovative around set-pieces and they move the ball wide with pace.

“We expect an open game and a game that will test us over every minute.”

Scotland have beaten South Africa only five times in 29 meetings, the last of those victories coming in 2010.


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