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Scotland to host world champions in one of four autumn Tests
By Josh Raisey
Scotland will face world champions South Africa in November at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the first meeting between the two sides since their World Cup pool encounter.
Just days after finishing their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a 17-13 loss to Ireland in Dublin, Scotland have confirmed the schedule for their four-match Autumn Nations Series.
Rassie Erasmus' side will play in Edinburgh on Sunday November 10, eight days after Scotland get their autumn campaign started with a clash with Fiji.
A week after facing the four-time World Cup winners, Scotland will host another memorable outfit from the World Cup last year, with Portugal playing at Murrayfield for the first time since a 2007 meeting with Scotland.
The Scots will finish their campaign with a clash with Australia, meaning they will only face one team that are currently ranked higher than them in the world rankings, the Springboks.
Gregor Townsend's side opened their World Cup campaign against the Springboks last year, but were soundly beaten 18-3 by the eventual tournament winners in Marseille.
Before thinking about the autumn, Scotland have a tour of North and South America to prepare for in July, where they will face Canada, the USA, Chile and Uruguay.
Looking at Scotland's autumn schedule, Townsend said: “It’s a really exciting prospect to have four home games in succession during November and the varied opposition will test us in different ways.
“Fiji and Portugal both play a fast and open brand of rugby and performed very well in the Rugby World Cup in France. This will be a challenge for our defence but should make for two great games of rugby.
“Having South Africa as one of our opponents will make for a special occasion. Taking on the reigning world champions is the ultimate test for any team in rugby right now and that will be a game everyone will be looking forward to when the time comes around.
“Our final game against Australia will round off the month nicely, against a team we have fought out some entertaining and close encounters with over the last few years.
“This year’s Six Nations once again demonstrated how inspiring matchdays are at home for our players and we can’t wait to play in front of our supporters once again, four weeks in a row.”
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Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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