Scotland to host world champions South Africa during Autumn Tests

Scotland will face world champions South Africa in November after announcing four Tests at Murrayfield.

Gregor Townsend’s men open their autumn internationals against Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday, November 2 before the Springboks, winners of the last two World Cup tournaments, arrive in Edinburgh eight days later.

Portugal provide the opposition on Saturday, November 16 with Australia bringing down the curtain on a testing campaign for the Scots the following Sunday.

Head coach Townsend told Scottish Rugby’s official website: “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 match days 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.”

Scotland finished fourth in the Six Nations championship, but secured a 30-21 Calcutta Cup victory over England on home turf and a nail-biting 27-26 win in Wales in the process.

Scottish Rugby announced last week that the men’s team will play Canada in Ottawa on Saturday, July 6, USA in Washington on Friday, July 12, Chile in Santiago on Saturday, July 20 and Uruguay in Montevideo on Saturday, July 27 during their summer tour.