Scotland are set to stride out for a Test match in Pretoria for the first time when they face South Africa at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Gregor Townsend's side started the Nations Championship with an impressive 47-38 win over Argentina in Cordoba last weekend.
The world champions took care of business in a 45-21 dismissal of England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, scorching clear in the second half with four tries to one from the Red Rose.
Both the Springboks and the Scots scored seven tries apiece last Saturday in their wins and we could see a high-scoring clash in Pretoria.
South Africa v Scotland Tips Summary
Best Bet – Over 62.5 points @ 10/11
Alternative Bet – Scotland +17.5 points @ 4/5
Bet Builder – Damian Willemse to score a try & Kyle Steyn to score a try @ 9/2
South Africa v Scotland Prediction
Best Bet – Over 62.5 points @ 10/11
Both of these teams were high scorers in round one of the Nations Championship, scoring seven tries each in wins over England and Argentina.
The Springboks laid into England after half-time, scoring four tries to one, while Scotland ran up a commendable 48 points against Argentina in Cordoba.
Townsend's side will be keen to show their attacking capabilities and Scotland's best form of defence is often to attack, as evidenced in the 50-40 win over France at Murrayfield in the Six Nations back in the spring.
They finished that campaign off by conceding 43 points to Ireland in Dublin and last weekend's game in Argentina produced 85 points.
The Boks hit Wales for 73 points in Cardiff in their final outing of 2025 and put 45 on England last week.
This has all the makings of a blow-trading Test match.
Alternative Bet – Scotland +17.5 points @ 4/5
South Africa are meritorious favourites for the victory at 1/12 and their record on home soil shows 13 wins from 14 games, with Ireland in 2024 the last side to down them in Durban.
The Boks should continue that excellent streak but Scotland's wins over England, France and Argentina show they can match most sides on their day.
Rassie Erasmus is taking charge of a landmark 55th Test as boss, but he has made 10 changes, with stellar names like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe not in the matchday squad.
Scotland can welcome back Finn Russell at out-half, and that is a major boost for the travelling side, who can at least stay within respectability.
South Africa v Scotland Bet Builder Tip
Damian Willemse to score a try
Kyle Steyn to score a try
Pays 9/2
Damian Willemse starts at No.12 for South Africa with Damian de Allende and Andre Esterhuizen among the hosts' absentees.
After excelling at full-back against England, Willemse brings versatility to the side. He also provides scoring potential, as shown by his try-scoring performances in the incredible 43-10 rout against New Zealand in Wellington last September and the win over Ireland in Dublin in November.
The return of Russell is a massive bonus for Scotland and his magician-like playmaking will hold the key to much of their potential gains here.
The threat of his cross-field kicking game is always lurking and Scotland winger Kyle Steyn could be the beneficiary.
Steyn, who was born in Johannesburg, grabbed a pair of tries in that dismantling of France in Edinburgh in March, having also touched down against New Zealand in November.
His prowess in the air will serve well if Russell elects to go high and he can add to his collection against top-class opposition.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
South Africa have played 42 Test matches at Loftus Versfeld with 33 wins, for an impressive 78 per cent win-record.
Rassie Erasmus takes charge of South Africa for a record-breaking 55th Test match across his two spells.
Scotland have already landed wins over Tier 1 sides England, France and Argentina in 2026, rising to fifth in the latest World Rugby rankings.
The most recent meeting was at Murrayfield in November 2024, where South Africa ran out 32-15 winners.
South Africa have won 13 of their last 14 matches on home soil. The Springboks' last seven games have been won by 11 or more points.
Five of Scotland's six matches in 2026 have finished over the main total points handicap line.
View details of how to watch South Africa v Scotland on site.
Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
