Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist is looking forward to today’s Test match (19:00 UAE) against South Africa. Buoyed by victory over Argentina, Edinburgh lock Gilchrist is viewing the clash in Port Elizabeth with excitement, not trepidation.
The tourists are encouraged by results so far but know that facing South Africa on their own patch is by far the toughest challenge they have faced since the current coaching regime took over at the start of the month.
Gilchrist, who will be leading Scotland for the second time, said: “Playing against South Africa, the No2 side in the world, is exciting.
“It is always good to go against these players who have been there, done it and you can test yourself against the best. That is what I want to do.
“Argentina [who Scotland beat last weekend] was a big test up front and we came through that pretty well.
“There are areas of the game that disappointed us but we are just looking to improve and we need to do that this weekend.
“We know South Africa at home is massive, we are just looking at ourselves and how we can improve.”
The Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth is close to selling out and local organisers are confident it will be full for the game, adding to the sense of excitement for the two teams.
There is, however, an experimental look to both, with the English and French refusal to release players costing the Scots 12 players from the squad that started the tour in the USA – and also affecting the Springboks, who have had to send seven back to Europe.
That partly accounts for the fact that both sides have only eight of the squad who faced each other in Nelspruit a year ago still on duty.
Scotland gave their hosts an almighty scare but could not close out the win and Gilchrist said: “Last year the guys that played did really well and defended at an intensity that we know we need to match – if we don’t we won’t be giving ourselves a chance.”
