Scotland boss Grigor Townsend urged his players to embrace the occasion when they step out at the Vélodrome in Marseille on Sunday evening to take on reigning champions South Africa in their opening game at the rugby union World Cup.
“It’s the biggest opportunity you’ll get, a World Cup game playing the world champions," said the 50-year-old.
“We believe we’ve been building to our best performance.”
Scotland have risen to fifth in the world rankings, three places behind the South Africans. They finished the European Six Nations in third place following defeats to champions Ireland and runners-up France.
And they warmed up for the World Cup with three wins in their four outings against France, Italy and Georgia.
“Really, this is where it will count for our players to deliver what they have been delivering in training and what they’ve been delivering in other games we’ve played this year,” added Townsend.
Change
Four years ago in Japan, the South Africans deployed a swarming defence, a metronomic kicking game and a dominant set-piece to land the Webb Ellis trophy for a record-equalling third time.
Coaching team Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus have instigated a more expansive approach with fly-half Manie Libbok pulling the strings.
The 26-year-old operates intuitively in the same manner as his Scottish counterpart Finn Russell – acknowledged as one of the best in his position.
Both teams will be aware of the pressure in a pool nicknamed the Group of Death for also containing the world’s top ranked team Ireland.
They started their campaign on Saturday afternoon in Bordeaux with a 82-8 annihilation of Romania. It was Ireland’s largest victory at a World Cup tournament and the match also witnessed the return of skipper Jonathan Sexton following a six month lay-off due to injury and suspension.
After – by his superior standards – a few duff kicks, the veteran quickly recaptured his slickness to orchestrate the romp and notch up 24 points to move within 10 points of overhauling Ronan O’Gara’s points record for the national team.
Effective
“You must have the ability to score points,” said Nienaber who will step down from his post after the tournament.
“Whereas in 2019 you could grind it out with a good defence, a good kicking game and a solid set-piece.
“We had to adapt. I don’t think we’re the finished product yet, but we are working towards that.”
Siya Kolisi, who skippered the side to glory in 2019, has shaken off a knee injury to return to the fray.
“I will never forget, when we won in Japan, it was special, it felt great," Kolisi said. “But when we landed in Johannesburg, I’d never seen anything like that. The airport was in a state of emergency because everybody left their working stations, they just wanted to see us.
“That is the kind of energy that drives us, the kind of energy that reminds us who we’re doing it for and why we’re doing it."
After the game against Scotland, South Africa play Romania in Bordeaux on 17 September, Ireland six days later at the Stade de France and they finish off their pool campaign against Tonga in Marseille on 1 October.
Scotland will take on Tonga, Romania and finish with a game against Ireland at the Stade de France on 7 October.
