Scotland chase 'seismic' win against Springboks

Autumn Nations Series: Scotland v South Africa

Date: Sunday, 10 November Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 16:10 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds. Text updates on BBC Sport website & app

We regularly hear from Scotland players and coaches how, on their day, they can beat any team in the world.

They have claimed plenty of big scalps under Gregor Townsend - France, England, Wales and Australia have all been beaten home and away.

There have been a couple of near misses against New Zealand, some fairly competitive matches - last year’s World Cup aside - against South Africa, while Ireland have had the hex over Scotland since 2017.

That big statement win over a team recognised as being at the very top of the international game has proved elusive. A single victory to propel Scotland from the seemingly endless purgatory of almost-contenders to a side finally capable of competing with the true elites of rugby union.

Toppling South Africa, the back-to-back world champions, at Murrayfield in the Autumn Nations Series on Sunday would tick that particular box and then some.

"I think it's obvious that we've been searching for this win against a top opponent like the All Blacks or the Springboks or Ireland, one of those top three teams, for a long time now," Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said.

"Getting that win instils a little bit of belief in your team. We take this as an opportunity for this game to kickstart what we want this team to achieve."

When Mike Tyson was in his pomp as heavyweight champion in the late 1980s, the fear was writ large on his opponents' faces as they walked to the ring, fully aware of the grim fate about to befall them.

The Springboks and their fabled 'Bomb Squad' coming off the bench have instilled a similar terror in recent years. For Tuipulotu and his mates, it's about playing the team, not the aura.

"A lot of those games against the Springboks are lost before the whistle even gets blown," said the Glasgow centre.

"Our job is to make sure that's not us. I think that's one of our main things, that we have a free swing at the world champions. The most important thing is that we hop off that bus and be here to win.

"When I was growing up in Australia and you watch all the Tri-Nations - what now is the Rugby Championship - obviously the Springboks have such an aura around them.

"It's kind of weird now that I'm in a position where I'm going to captain a side against them. It's a massive opportunity for me and I just want to grab it with two hands.

"I know this is a game that we've been searching for a long time, not just South Africa, but we've been searching for a big win here at Murrayfield for a long time. Sunday is an opportunity for that."

If Scotland fans are looking for reasons to believe their heroes can upset the world champions, a dive into the history books is not recommended.

The Springboks have won the last eight meetings between the sides, and 15 of the last 16, with Scotland’s solitary success coming in 2010 when Dan Parks kicked them to a 21-17 victory.

The most recent clash was the World Cup Pool B opener last year when the Boks extinguished Scotland's attacking threat to ease to an 18-3 win.

With the likes of captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit - Scotland’s tormenter-in-chief in Marseille last year - selected to start on the bench, some wonder if Rassie Erasmus has made the call with a view to his all-star replacements making a late impact at Murrayfield, or with one eye on Twickenham and next weekend’s showdown with England.

Stand-in skipper Eben Etzebeth, the legendary lock who will win his 129th cap on Sunday, was quick to shut down any talk the Boks are giving Scotland anything other than their full, undivided attention.

"We consider them one of the top nations in world rugby," Etzebeth said.

"We see them as an Ireland or New Zealand or Australia or England or any of those teams that we play against. They're right up there for us and it's going to be a physical Test match.

"I think Murrayfield is an incredible place to play rugby. Personally it's one of my favourites in the world, I love coming and playing here.

"The Scottish people are nice but we know their team will never be nice to us on the field."

The Springboks have been nice and respectful of Scotland all week. Come 16:10 on Sunday in Edinburgh, you can bet that will all come to an abrupt end.

The Scots know what is coming - the toughest, meanest challenge in all of rugby. Knowing about it and knowing what to do about it are two entirely different things.

A Scottish victory is hard to see, but if they can somehow shake up the global order with a seismic win, it may just be the catalyst towards the type of success that has for so long been beyond their reach.