If winning a Rugby World Cup is a squad effort then South Africa are better placed than most to retain their title with strength in depth across the park and much of the experience gained in lifting the trophy four years ago retained.

South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus previously revealed that the squad selected for their 2019 World Cup triumph was really with this year’s tournament in France in mind and their victory was a “bonus”.

“When we were appointed as coaches (in 2018), we started thinking about 2023. 2019 was a bonus, but 2023 was always our big plan. We were looking at our squad age and when the guys were going to mature,” Erasmus told “Inside the Boks”, a South African Rugby Union documentary series.

While they have lost some players to injury along the way – fly-half Handre Pollard and centre Lukhanyo Am the most notable – they have depth in all positions far beyond what they enjoyed in Japan four years ago.

The other teams in Pool B alongside the Boks and Scots are Ireland, Tonga and Romania. 

When is it?

Kick-off is at 4.45pm UK time on Sunday, September 10. That’s 5.45pm local time in France, and 5.45pm in South Africa.

South Africa v Scotland is the seventh match of the tournament, and the second game being played on the opening Sunday.

For a full list of fixtures, see our dedicated guide to the 2023 World Cup. You can also download our wallchart and sweepstake kit. 

Where is it?

This is the second match of the tournament at Stade de Marseille (as it has been renamed for the World Cup). To most people is is still the Stade Velodrome. England’s opening match of the tournament is in the same stadium on the Saturday. 

How to watch on TV

In the UK, ITV are broadcasting every match of the tournament. This one is on ITV1. In South Africa, the match will be shown on SuperSport. 

You can read our comprehensive guide to the TV and radio coverage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including our run-down of the 12 best commentators and pundits working in the sport.

Who is the referee?

Angus Gardner, the Australian, takes charge of this one. Gardner was recently in charge for South Africa’s win over England at Twickenham, sending off Thomas du Toit, as well as Scotland’s Six Nations victory against Italy.

What’s the head-to-head record?

South Africa have not beaten the Springboks since the 2010 Autumn Internationals, when they won 21-17 at Murrayfield. In the seven matches since, South Africa have won every time. The most recent meeting was in 2021, when the visitors ran out 30-15 victors in Edinburgh. 

The overall record between the teams is 23-5 in South Africa’s favour, including the two times they have previously met at a World Cup. 

Who is in the Scotland team?

Darcy Graham has been passed fit to face South Africa after his pre-tournament injury scare. The 26-year-old Edinburgh wing – seventh on the national team’s all-time scoring list – missed the last warm-up match with a quad strain but, after coming through training in Nice this week, he has now been cleared to play.

Prop Zander Fagerson is also back in the team after being suspended for the last two summer Tests following his red card in the victory at home to France five weeks ago. The Glasgow front-rower goes into the match having played less than an hour of rugby since the end of last season.

In a selection featuring no real surprises, Jack Dempsey has got the nod over Matt Fagerson to start at No 8, with the latter on the bench. Captain Jamie Ritchie and the burgeoning Rory Darge complete the back row, with the experienced Hamish Watson missing out on the 23.

The Scots have gone for a five-to-three split on the bench, with Ali Price, Cam Redpath and Ollie Smith the three backs selected, meaning there is no place in the squad for in-form wing Kyle Steyn.

Scotland XV: Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Finn Russell (Bath), Ben White (Toulon); Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow).
Replacements: Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Ali Price (Glasgow), Cameron Redpath (Bath), Ollie Smith (Glasgow).

The South Africa squad

Forwards

Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese, Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert.

Backs

Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.

The Scotland squad

Forwards 

Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (c), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson.

Backs

Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris, Ben Healy, George Horne, Huw Jones, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.

What are the odds?

• South Africa to win 1/5
• Scotland to win 7/2
• Draw 33/1