White warns Scots could upset Springboks

South Africa coach Jake White believes Scotland’s recent spirited performances against World Cup runners-up Australia prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

The Scots put up a strong fight against the Wallabies in their recent two Test matches, despite not getting the results they craved.

And White, who confirmed that he will hand Solomzi Tyibilika and Gurtho Steenkamp their first caps in Saturday’s showdown, insists the Springboks should go into the latest meeting as underdogs.

He said: “I have watched videos from their Six Nations campaign, the summer tour Down Under and the two games against Australia recently. We must be underdogs, we lost last time we were here, we are playing away from home and they did really well in the two Tests against Australia.

“They have always been one of the best rucking teams in the world, the way they recycle the ball and the way they keep it going.”

White is expecting an all-round improved performance from his players after the disappointment of losing 32-16 to an England side supposedly going through a transitional period.

And the Springboks coach has warned his players that Scotland are more than capable of causing an upset, as they did in 2002 when they defied all odds to record a historic victory.