FINN RUSSELL FIT TO START FOR SCOTLAND AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA

Finn Russell will start at fly-half for Scotland against South Africa in the Nations Championship second round on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Russell, 33, returns after missing Scotland's 47-38 victory over Argentina the previous week due to a calf injury, replacing Tom Jordan in the starting XV. Two further changes see tight-head prop Zander Fagerson and lock Gregor Brown promoted from the bench, with both having featured in the Argentina match. They take the places of injured players Elliot Millar Mills and Jonny Gray respectively.

Head coach Gregor Townsend confirmed Russell had been in full training since the middle of the previous week. Will Hurd, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury and Stafford McDowall are added to the bench, whilst winger Darcy Graham drops out. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston, who scored a try on his debut against Argentina, and prop Rory Sutherland are included among the replacements. This fixture marks Scotland's first visit to South Africa since 2014.

South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 45-21 victory over England in Johannesburg. The world champions have made 10 changes to their squad, with Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu omitted from selection. Townsend described the match at altitude as the "ultimate challenge", noting Scotland have never won in South Africa. Russell will make his 95th appearance for Scotland if he takes the field.