Scotland flanker eyes Springboks scalp

Jason White insists world champions South Africa hold no fears for Scotland ahead of tomorrow’s Murrayfield meeting.

Flanker White was part of the team beaten 32-6 by an experimental New Zealand XV last weekend, while Scotland have failed to score a try at home for 14 months.

But their most experienced forward today described a camp bursting with confidence, and one which views the Springboks clash as a massive opportunity to gain a rare southern-hemisphere scalp.

“Without a doubt, we are massive underdogs,” the Sale star said.

“South Africa are the world champions and they are vying with New Zealand to be the top team in the world, but we’ve got to believe that if things go our way we are capable of winning – and I think we do believe in each other and in what our new coaches are saying.”

White draws confidence from his memories of being in the Scotland side which beat South Africa in 2002, as well as running them close on a handful of other occasions.

However, he reckons the youngsters in Frank Hadden’s squad are even less overawed by the size of the task facing them.

“I remember when things could have gone for us in Port Elizabeth in 2006 but a couple of decisions didn’t go our way.

“Obviously, that is not the case with the young guys, but to be honest I don’t know if the likes of Nick De Luca, Ben Cairns and Thom Evans have any fear of these teams because they’ve never played them before.

“I don’t think there was any evidence last week of us being in awe of the All Blacks and standing off them."