It’s vital Scotland take the game to the Springboks in this afternoon’s test.
After the calm comes the storm.
Perhaps that’s not quite the right analogy, but the visit of the Springboks to Murrayfield this afternoon is likely to be a different proposition altogether for Scotland compared to last week’s relatively comfortable win over Japan.
Scott Johnson has made a number of changes to his starting line-up some of which make sense while others have left many confused.
I’m pleased he hasn’t tinkered with his three-quarters. The temptation may have been to move Sean Lamont into the centre, but instead the Saracen, Duncan Taylor, wins his first cap at Murrayfield.
The pack is a different proposition altogether.
Alasdair Dickinson starts at loose-head prop with Ryan Grant, who was concussed against Japan on the bench. Moray Low replaces Euan Murray who can’t play because of religious beliefs. James Hamilton and Richie Gray provide the bulk in the second row but, bizarrely, Kelly Brown is dropped altogether for John Barclay.
While the pack may have more bulk than last week against the diminutive Japanese, the front row may well struggle today.
Dickinson, for all his strengths in the loose, has some fundamental flaws in his technique in the scrum which may well be exposed.
If they are, this will make life difficult for the Scottish breakaways as they’ll be on the back foot, both in attack and defence which plays into the strengths of the Boks.
Scotland simply can’t afford to get involved in an arm wrestle, despite their bulk. They have to change the angles of attack and try and play a game of high tempo, as their opponents last week did against them.
What’s more, if they do get their forwards to try to take short balls into contact, they have to ensure these ball carriers come on to the ball at pace. They were mostly static last week and rarely made the gain line.
Against the strong Boks defence, they will be driven back much further.
Heyneke Meyer, the Springbok coach has been say how well Scotland compete at the breakdown.
He may be trying to influence the referee to ensure he pays attention to this facet of play in an attempt to ensure the Scots back row don’t slow things down.
The game will be defined by the front row battle. If Scotland can gain parity at least, they should be in it.
Without parity, it’s hard to see the Springboks losing.
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