But if he is going to achieve something which would probably top anything else he has achieved as head coach, Scotland will need to summon a level of intensity, resilience and all-round excellence today that has so far proved beyond them against the biggest beasts of international rugby.
The former fly-half enjoyed a starring role in both Lions victories in the famous 1997 series. He was also a replacement in the Scots’ record 21-6 win over the Springboks in 2002, and Andy Robinson’s attack coach for a 21-17 triumph in 2010. Those are the only two occasions in 21 meetings since South Africa were readmitted to Test rugby in 1992 that Scotland have prevailed.
In Townsend’s tenure, there have been three losses – 20-26 in 2018, 15-30 in 2021, both at Murrayfield, and an 18-3 defeat in last year’s World Cup pool meeting in Marseille, where Scotland’s attack was comprehensively shut down by the Boks’ blitz defence.
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