Gregor Townsend has named eight Edinburgh stars to face World Champions South Africa in Scotland’s opening fixture at Rugby World Cup 2023, this Sunday 10 September – kick-off 4.45pm (BST), live on STV and ITV.
Jamie Ritchie leads his country in their Pool B clash with defending champions South Africa at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome, starting at blindside flanker.
It’s an all Edinburgh back three, with Blair Kinghorn at fullback in-between Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Pierre Schoeman packs down at loosehead prop in the pack, alongside Ritchie and lock Grant Gilchrist – the club centurion playing in his third Rugby World Cup.
WP Nel is named in the replacements, and similarly will make his third appearance in the tournament, while Dave Cherry is set to make his first World Cup appearance from the bench.
Scotland team to play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup 2023 (Pool B) fixture at Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, on Sunday 10 September 2023, kick-off 4.45pm (BST) – live on STV and ITV:
15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 46 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 39 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 19 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 31 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-captain – 72 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) 16 caps
1.Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 37 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 59 caps
4. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 75 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 65 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 43 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 12 caps
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 10 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 57 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 36 caps
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)
22. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 7 caps
23. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps
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