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Bradbury set for first Nations Series involvement as Edinburgh trio face South Africa

9 Jul 2026

Edinburgh Rugby captain Magnus Bradbury is poised for his first appearance of the 2026 Nations Championship, with Head Coach Gregor Townsend naming the back-rower among the replacements for Scotland's clash with South Africa at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday (11 July, kick-off 4.40pm BST).

Bradbury is one of three Edinburgh Rugby players in the matchday 23 for the first meeting between Scotland and the four-times World Champions on South African soil since 2014, alongside front-row duo Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman.

Schoeman continues at loosehead after marking his 50th Scotland cap with a try against Argentina last weekend. He returns to familiar territory in Pretoria – the city and club where his playing career began before moving to the Scottish capital in 2018.

He packs down alongside Ashman, who keeps his place at hooker having started throughout the series so far.

Bradbury is among four players named in the 23 yet to feature in the Nations Championship so far, selected alongside Will Hurd, Josh Bayliss and Stafford McDowall, and will be looking to make his mark off the bench in Pretoria.

Elsewhere, Townsend has made three changes to his starting side, with Finn Russell returning at fly-half after recovering from a calf injury, and Zander Fagerson and Gregor Brown promoted to the run-on team after impressing off the bench against Argentina.

Scotland team to face South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship at Loftus Versfeld
Saturday 11 July (kick-off 4.40pm BST) – live on ITV and STV (caps in brackets):

15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (18)

14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (34) – Vice Captain
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (12)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (39) – Captain
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (20)

10. Finn Russell – Bath (94)
9. Ben White – Toulon (37)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (50)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (36)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (82)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (17)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (50)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (65)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (40) – Vice Captain
8. Jack Dempsey – Toshiba Brave Lupus (34)

Replacements

16. Gregor Hiddleston – Glasgow Warriors (1)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (49)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (10)
19. Alex Samuel – Glasgow Warriors (4)
20. Josh Bayliss – Bath (16)
21. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby (22)
22. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (18)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (16)