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
Scotland Men
Seven selected to face Fiji
Thu 16 Jul 2026
Scotland Men
Bradbury set for first Nations Series involvement as Edinburgh trio face South Africa
Thu 9 Jul 2026
Scotland Men
Schoeman to hit 50 in Argentina
Thu 2 Jul 2026
Scotland Men
Trio called up to Barbarians squad
Tue 9 Jun 2026
Scotland Men
Eight Edinburgh Rugby players selected in men’s Nations Championship squad
Tue 9 Jun 2026
Scotland Men
Six named for Super Saturday
Thu 12 Mar 2026
Scotland Men
Graham and Schoeman selected for Calcutta Cup clash
Thu 12 Feb 2026
Scotland Men
Schoeman, Ashman and Gilchrist start to power Scotland pack
Thu 5 Feb 2026
Scotland Men
Edinburgh stars set for Scotland A clash
Wed 4 Feb 2026
Scotland Men
Van der Merwe and Bradbury return for Tonga Test
Fri 21 Nov 2025
Scotland Men
Graham set for 50th Scotland cap
Fri 14 Nov 2025
Scotland Men
Six selected for All Blacks test
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Scotland Men
Van der Merwe hits 50 as McConnell makes international debut
Thu 30 Oct 2025
Scotland Men
Uncapped duo selected as 13 named in 2025 Quilter Nations Series squad
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Scotland Men
Four selected for Samoa showdown in Auckland
Wed 16 Jul 2025
Scotland Men
Graham starts as four selected for Fiji Test
Thu 10 Jul 2025
Scotland Men
Four Edinburgh Rugby players selected for Maori All Blacks opener
Thu 3 Jul 2025
Scotland Men
Sykes and Muncaster set for first Six Nations appearances
Thu 13 Mar 2025
Scotland Men
Graham returns for Wales Test
Thu 6 Mar 2025
Eight selected for Ireland clash
Fri 7 Feb 2025
