Brits: Scotland a very good team

Johannesburg – Springbok hooker Schalk Brits has warned that Scotland are a much-improved side and should not be underestimated when South Africa take them on in their third Rugby World Cup clash in Newcastle on Saturday.

Scotland returned to the Top 10 in World Rugby’s latest rankings, occupying ninth place following their 39-16 victory over the United States on Sunday.

“They are a very good team and they are much better than they have been playing over the last few years, and people that don’t watch a lot of rugby would not think they are as good as they are on the rankings,” Brits said on Monday.

“If you’ve watched a bit of the World Cup you would see they are playing good rugby, they want to attack, they want to score tries and they play smart.

“Their players are better, their club teams have improved, so it is going to be a tough game this weekend.”

Scotland are the only unbeaten side in Pool B following their victories over Japan and the United States and boasting 10 points from the two matches.

South Africa and Scotland have met each 25 times since 1906, with South Africa winning 20 and losing five of the encounters.

The Springboks romped to a 55-6 victory in their last match in Port Elizabeth but will need to be cautious of a side that have improved by leaps and bounds.

The first-round defeat to Japan would certainly take care of any Springbok complacency, while the Scots will hope the rekindle the memories of 2010 when they beat the Boks 21-17 in Edinburgh