No place for Hastings as Jordan starts for Scotland

Tom Jordan has been rewarded for his impressive debut off the bench in last week’s record 57-17 win over Fiji with a place in Scotland’s starting line-up against South Africa on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan’s inclusion at full-back is one of four changes to the backline, while the starting pack mirrors that of the Fiji game.

The Kiwi-born 26-year-old replaces Kyle Rowe, who picked up a hamstring injury, and is joined in the back three by Blair Kinghorn on the right wing, with Duhan van der Merwe on the left. It will be Kinghorn’s first Test outing in the number 14 jersey since Scotland played France in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones continue in midfield, while it’s all change in the half-backs with first-choice pairing, Ben White and vice-captain Finn Russell restored to the team. Adam Hastings, who bagged 17 points against Fiji, does not even make the matchday 23.

Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Zander Fagerson continue in the front row and will again be backed by the lock pairing of Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings.

Head-to-Head

Last 2 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

12

22

First try wins

100%

Home team wins

50%

Matt Fagerson and vice-captain Rory Darge retain their spots at flanker and Jack Dempsey will attempt to take the fight to South Africa from No 8.

On the bench, Elliott Millar-Mills replaces Darcy Rae as reserve tight-head, while Josh Bayliss and Jamie Ritchie also come into the squad.

Scotland team (vs South Africa, Sunday):

15. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (1)
14. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (53)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (51)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (28) captain
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (42)
10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (80) vice-captain
9. Ben White – Toulon (22)
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (35)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (20)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (68)
4. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (73)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (40)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (48)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (23) vice-captain
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (21)

Replacements:

16. Dylan Richardson – The Sharks (4)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (33)
18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (5)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (5)
20. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (7)
21. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (52)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (7)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (6)