Scotland winger aims to sink Boks again

Nikki Walker has fond memories of playing against South Africa and the Scotland winger is planning to create another happy memory when he faces the Springboks again on Saturday.

Five years ago he scored a try during Scotland’s historic 21-6 victory over the southern hemisphere side at Murrayfield.

Walker knows another strong showing could convince head coach Frank Hadden that he should become a regular starter for the national team.

“Obviously it’s pleasing to be in the starting XV but I need to play well to get back into the team on a more permanent basis,” he said.

“There is loads of competition all over the squad but the back three has been intense for a few years.

“There are some good wingers who have missed out on the 30, never mind the 22, so I’m pretty happy. But now I want to cement my place before the World Cup.”

Another try would go a long way towards helping achieve that aim, and Walker will take any sort of score – even one as controversial as his hotly-disputed score in 2002.

“It was just a ball that came sliding out, I tried to get a touch on it and at the time everyone thought it was a try, I definitely did. But on the video you see it wasn’t really a try,” he said.

“If we get a win on Saturday, it will all be forgotten about – and people will stop getting on at me about it!”

Having burst on the scene as a 20-year-old with bags of pace and power in 2002 with three impressive performances for Scotland that November against Romania, South Africa and Fiji) Walker’s international career did not quite go from strength to strength in the manner most observers expected.

It was not until last season’s RBS 6 Nations that he was able to add to his cap tally.

Walker is in no doubt that his decision to move from the Border Reivers to the Ospreys in Wales last summer was the catalyst to his re-emergence as a serious contender for international honours.

“I lost confidence playing at the Borders, when we were struggling and on the back foot.

“I wasn’t getting much chance to shine, touching the ball

maybe three or four times a game. I’m an attacking player, so moving to Wales has helped me. We’re normally attacking for 70-75 per cent of the time and that suits me.“