Current Scotland captain Stuart Hogg on the ball during his side's 2015 Rugby World Cup pool-B match against South Africa at St James's Park in Newcastle on October 3, 2015 (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)Current Scotland captain Stuart Hogg on the ball during his side's 2015 Rugby World Cup pool-B match against South Africa at St James's Park in Newcastle on October 3, 2015 (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Current Scotland captain Stuart Hogg on the ball during his side's 2015 Rugby World Cup pool-B match against South Africa at St James's Park in Newcastle on October 3, 2015 (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

In pictures: Scotland and South Africa's last dozen rugby games

Scotland have been drawn against South Africa for their opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

They play the current world champions at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

That will be the third time the two sides have faced each other in the competition, the Springboks having won both previous meetings, 46-29 at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in October 1999 and 34-16 at Newcastle’s St James’s Park in October 2015.

To date, the two sides have played each other 27 times, beginning in 1906, with South Africa winning 22 of those games and the Scots five.

They’re also due to meet each other in an autumn international at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on a date yet to be decided in November.

It’s over ten years since the Scots last beat the world’s top-ranked side, courtesy of six penalties and a drop-goal from Australian-born stand-off Dan Parks to secure a 21-17 victory in 2010, also in an autumn international.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Fans, players and coaches will be looking forward to seeing Scotland face southern hemisphere opposition in Australia and the current world champions, South Africa, at BT Murrayfield.

“The autumn internationals in 2021 will be another opportunity for our players to represent their country, hopefully with our fans in attendance, and provide the team with a different challenge and exciting challenge."

Ahead of the two meetings the Scots have lined up with the Springboks, here’s a look back at their last dozen games ...

To date, the two sides have played each other 27 times, beginning in 1906, with South Africa winning 22 of those games and the Scots five.