SCOTLAND face a gargantuan task against defending world champions South Africa in the Rugby World Cup.
Finn Russell and Co have a huge challenge if they are to get out of their pool in France, with Ireland also in the group.
And now the huge Springbok pack are fired up and ready to go after a win over New Zealand in their World Cup warm-up matches.
- Kick-off time: 4.45pm UK
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream FREE: ITV X
- South Africa team: 15 Willemse, 14 Arendse, 13 Kriel, 12 De Allende, 11 Kolbe, 10Libbok, 9 De Klerk. 1 Kitschoff, 2 Marx, 3 Malherbe, 4 Etzebeth, 5 Mostert, 6 Kolisi, 7 Du Toit, 8 Wiese.
- Scotland team: 15 Kinghorn, 14 Graham, 13 Jones, 12 Tuipulotu, 11 Van de Merwe, 10 Russell, 9 White. 1 Schoeman, 2 Turner, 3 Z Fagerson, 4 R Gray, 5 Gilchrist, 6 Ritchie, 7 Darge, 8 Dempsey.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Marseille…
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
23. Scotland are starting to frustrate South Africa at the breakdown.
But the Springboks don't care, they are patient and Faf de Klerk is happy to send a box kick into danger.
Scotland come away with it through Sione Tuipolotu, but he is smothered by Eben Etzebeth.
That's a penalty for South Africa with an easy shot for Libbok.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
21. Time for some caterpillar kicks from both teams.
Now South Africa are running the ball down the wing with Damian De Allende.
It takes THREE Scotland players to drive him into touch and Ben White falls on top of him.
And here come the handbags.
Referee Angus Gardner tells both teams: "What we don't need is you guys taking offence at each other over a mundane tackle.
"You two calm down and speak to your teams and calm down."
Good refereeing.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
Scotland have the put-in in their own 22 and brilliantly run out of danger by Jack Dempsey.
Russell gets his boot to the ball and clears it.
Willemse sprints the ball back into traffic and is brilliantly driven backwards.
Good work from Scotland at the breakdown.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
20. Malcolm Marx is hauled off and Mbongeni Mbonambi is on as hooker for the Springboks.
Whether that is a HIA or an injury we're yet to find out.
Jamie Ritchie has an ice pack down his neck, presumably for cooling.
It is 29 degrees in Marseille… the same as in the UK today.
- By Alex Terrell
Penalty – Libbok (South Africa)
South Africa 6 Scotland 0
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
18. South Africa now have two set pieces in Scotland's half and are now in their 22.
A scrum is well smothered by the Scots though.
Time for a water break.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
15. What has happened here?
Finn Russell attempts a kick from deep and he is caught late by Franco Mostert.
The referee ignores it, it looks like a fair collision as it is a split second after the ball leaves Russell's boot.
Anyway, it's net gain for the Scots as they have the opportunity to fire the ball into touch, which they do, nicely into the Springboks 22.
But it's another poor lineout from Turner, his toss towards Gray is overcooked and South Africa have a very dangerous counter.
It's smothered into touch though.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
14. Nice line-out from Scotland this time, gives them some forward momentum on the half-way line.
Net gain after four or five phases is virtually nil though.
Russell attempts a kick into space but it is charged down.
Faf de Klerk attempts a kick towards Scottish territory but Kinghorn calls Mark.
- By Alex Terrell
Penalty – Libbok (South Africa)
South Africa 3 Scotland 0
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
10. That was a warning for the Scots.
Back come the Springboks and Cheslin Kolbe has some green grass to run into on the left wing.
A lovely counter-ruck in midfield sees Scotland make momentum.
Oh Finn Russell, he is told he has deliberately knocked it on.
Here is a simpler kick for three-point opportunity for Manie Libbok.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
8. Angus Gardner is the referee today and he has reminded both teams to be square on in this scrum.
Faf de Klerk sends it in and Scotland fold like a pack of cards.
Could this be the first of many penalties from the scrum today?
Libbok is going for the posts, about 35 yards out, a tad to the right.
And he's missed!
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
5. At the second time of asking the ball is out of that scrum and Scotland have it in their own half.
Finally, Kitsoff is offside at the breakdown and the Scots have the chance to gain some territory.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
6. What a waste.
Scotland fire in the line-out but it misses everyone and South Africa can run the ball back into their half as Jasper Wiese latches on to it.
Now a high ball is sent into the air, it's Blair Kinghorn up against Cheslin Kolbe.
The man in navy blue knocks it on. Scrum to the Springboks.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
4. Here comes another high ball from Libbok.
Scotland have their heads switched on though and are able to deal with it in the air.
A knock-on ensues and we have our first scrum of the match.
The pack weights are 897kg vs 925kg in favour of the Springboks.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
3. Here come the Springboks again.
Libbok attempts what appears to be a drop goal but it goes nowhere near.
Russell clears and it nearly finds touch but back come the Boks.
- By Alex Terrell
South Africa 0 Scotland 0
2. It's Blair Kinghorn who kocks it on.
Libbok attempts a big kick towards the wing as it's a freebie.
The ball comes in from the line-out and South Africa charge down Finn Russell's attempted kick from behind his own try line.
Thankfully for the Scots it squirts out into touch.
- By Alex Terrell
Here comes South Africa's anthem
The last time Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was heard at a Rugby Word Cup, it was for the final – which South Africa went on to win.
Siya Kolisi is singing it to the heavens.
What a man he is.
- By Alex Terrell
Time Flower of Scotland
The childrens' choir singing the Scottish national anthem have nailed this one.
It sounds amazing.
- By Alex Terrell
Here come the teams
South Africa are wearing their change colours today.
It's a pale blue and white combo for the Springboks today.
Scotland are, of course, in their navy blue.
- By Alex Terrell
Bryan Habana praise fly half Libbok
The former Springboks winger is glad the new No10 is flying under the radar for South Africa after Handre Pollard was ruled out of this tournament.
The 2007 world champ said: "His kicking out of hand was phenomenal, his touchball, he was able to find touch yards from the corner flag.
"He just looks so composed and a commanding performance – I can't understand why people aren't talking about him."
Credit: Getty - By Alex Terrell
South Africa vs Scotland odds
Here are the betting odds today, courtesy of Paddy Power.
South Africa win 1/5
Draw 33/1
Scotland victory 4/1
- By Alex Terrell
Siya later, hon
Siya Kolisi spent some time with his wife Rachel and their two kids, four years after they marched on to the pitch in Toyko.
Second-row forward Kolisi became the first black captain of the Springboks going into the Japan World Cup and then lifted the trophy weeks later after they beat England.
What a moment for the nation and his young family.
The kids are four years older and a fair bit taller these days, and Rachel popped to the Springboks hotel in Toulon ahead of their opener.
Credit: Rex - By Alex Terrell
It's no Faf-ing matter
Faf de Klerk has had his injury problems over the past 12 months.
But the whirling dervish of a scrum-half is back in the Springboks team for this Rugby World Cup opener.
England and Wales fans remember just what he did to them with his box kicking and general menacing performances in the semis and final four years ago.
And those same fans will also want to forget the sight of De Klerk in South Africa flag speedos moments after the final.
Credit: Getty - By Alex Terrell
Here we go!
Manie Libbok gets us underway as he kicks to Scotland.
And the Scotls knock it on straight away.
- By Alex Terrell
There's nobody like Finn
If there is one talent no other country in world rugby can boast – it is Finn Russell.
The 30-year-old has found a home at Racing 92 and he fits that love the French have of the maverick mindset.
He thinks outside the box like no other fly-half in the world – and this World Cup truly could be his chance to shine.
Put in a performance against these boys and the whole world will be talking about the Stirling star.
Which Finn Russell will we get today?
Credit: Getty
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