Finn Russell one of two Lions returning to Scotland XV for Boks

Finn Russell returns to the Scotland side as one of three changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Pretoria.

The talismanic stand-off sat out last weekend’s campaign-opening victory in Argentina as he completed his recovery from a calf injury that caused him to miss the last three games of Bath’s season.

Russell takes the place of Tom Jordan, who drops to the bench in the only change to the backline.

There are two alterations to the pack. Zander Fagerson replaces tighthead Elliot Millar Mills, who suffered a campaign-ending injury against Argentina.

Gregor Brown, who came off the bench to score in Cordoba, starts in the second row in place of Jonny Gray, who drops out altogether.

Fixture

Nations Championship

South Africa

42 - 28

Full-time

Scotland

All Stats and Data

Will Hurd, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury and Stafford McDowall are all added to the bench in a 6-2 split, with last weekend’s replacements George Horne, Fergus Burke and Darcy Graham out of the 23.

Scotland are eyeing their first-ever win in South Africa.

Backs – Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow) Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Ben White (Toulon).

Forwards – Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Toshiba Brave Lupus).

Replacements – Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland (both Glasgow), Will Hurd (Leicester), Alex Samuel (Glasgow), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Tom Jordan (Bristol), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow).