South Africa vs Scotland LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 match stream ...

Scotland assistant coach Peter Horne says they fear no one ahead of their Rugby World Cup opener against South Africa.

Reigning champions Springboks are one of the favourites to go all the way in France and they warmed up for the World Cup by beating New Zealand 35-7 at Twickenham last month. Horne insists his players are relishing the challenge.

“They’re obviously a very physical side,” he said. “And having put nearly 50 points on New Zealand in their last game, they’re going to be coming in full of confidence.

“It’s not even so much about matching that, it’s about taking it to them as well, really showing them we’re here and we’re not afraid of that challenge.

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The World Cup draw has faced controversy after being held back in December 2020, with seedings decided on the world rankings at the beginning of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At that time, South Africa, fresh from winning the World Cup, stopped the standings, New Zealand were second, England third and reigning Grand Slam champions Wales were fourth.

Almost three years on, the top-ranked teams in the world now include Ireland and France as England slip to eighth in the world and Wales face dropping out of the top 10.

This has created a lopsided draw and a ‘pool of death’ including, you guessed it, South Africa, Ireland and Scotland. We are guaranteed one big casulty, and Scotland are trying to make sure it isn’t them.

Scotland have not beaten South Africa since 2010, winning just one of the last 15 matches between the two sides.

• Scotland wins: 5
• South Africa wins: 23
• Draws: 0

Victory in this match would put either side in a brilliant position to qualify for the quarter-finals, easing the pressure somewhat before both play Ireland.

It’s hard to look past the Springboks, with that forward pack capable of overpowering any side in the world, and that big win over New Zealand was a major statement heading into the serious business.

Scotland might be able to stay within touch for the first hour or so, but the reinforcements off the bench should see South Africa pull away.

South Africa to win, by 15 points.

Scrum-half Ben White is fit for Scotland heading into the World Cup, having suffered an injury scare in the first warm-up match against France. He recovered from that ankle issue to start last time out against Georgia.

Stuart McInally, Murphy Walker, Josh Bayliss and Jamie Dobie were the four to be dropped from the initial 37-man training squad.

Scotland show five changes from the side that beat Georgia, with Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson and Richie Gray all returning in the pack. Blair Kinghorn is in at full-back in the only alteration to the backline.

Scotland XV: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (c), Darge, Dempsey

Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith

Siya Kolisi is back for South Africa, with the inspirational Springboks captain completing a remarkable recovery from injury to be fit in time to lead his country in France. He had knee surgery in April and made a successful return against Wales last month.

South Africa are though without experienced fly-half Handre Pollard (calf) and centre Lukhanyo Am (knee) for the tournament.

Boks coach Jacques Nienaber has made four changes to the side that dismantled the All Blacks having named his team to meet Scotland two days early.

Cheslin Kolbe is back on the wing at the expense of Makazole Mapimpi, who isn’t even named among the replacements, with centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel replacing Andre Esterhuizen and the injured Canan Moodie. Jasper Wiese is also named at No8, with Duane Vermeulen on the bench.

Damian Willemse is chosen ahead of Willie le Roux at full-back, with Nienaber picking a 6-2 bench split after his much talked about 7-1 to face New Zealand.

South Africa XV: D Willemse; K Arendse, J Kriel, D de Allende, C Kolbe; M Libbok, F de Klerk; S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe; E Etzebeth, F Mostert; S Kolisi (c), P du Toit, J Wiese

Replacements: B Mbonambi, O Nche, T Nyakane, R Snyman, M van Staden, D Vermeulen, G Williams, W le Roux

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 3:55pm.

Live stream: Fans will also be able to watch a free live stream online via the ITVX website and app.

Good afternoon and welcome to Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Rugby World Cup clash between South Africa and Scotland.

Scotland have been dealt a very tough draw - more on that in a bit - and it doesn’t get much tougher than kicking things off against the defending champions.

Still, you have to beat the best to be the best, and Scotland are here to be just that. Kick-off is at 4.45pm BST, stick with us.