Three changes for Springboks

South Africa have made three changes to the starting XV, with one positional switch, for Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Full-back Zane Kirchner, scrum-half Francois Hougaard and number eight Ryan Kankowski come into the side, while Gio Aplon switches to the wing after playing at full-back in last Saturday’s 29-25 win over Wales in Cardiff.

Scrum-half Ruan Pienaar drops to the bench, while number eight Pierre Spies drops out of the 22 altogether.

Two changes to the 22 were enforced, with winger Bjorn Basson and replacement hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle sent home after failing random tests following the 23-21 win over Ireland on November 6.

Ralepelle and Basson, who was due to fly home anyway as a result of an ankle injury picked up in the win over Wales, tested positive for stimulant methylhexaneamine, commonly used as a nasal decongestant.