The versatile Springboks flanker Kwagga Smith is set to play in his 50th Test on Sunday when they tackle Scotland in Edinburgh.

Smith has been named at 8th-man for the first Test of their end-of-year tour, and it’s a rare start for the exciting player.

The lock, Franco Mostert, will return from an injury and form the second row, alongside the 128 Test veteran, Eben Etzebeth, who will be the captain on the day.

Handré Pollard. Photo: Morgan Piek

In the backline, Willie le Roux, will start at fullback, while Handré Pollard and Jaden Hendrikse will form the halfback combination.  Siya Kolisi, RG Snyman and Pieter-Steph du Toit will also provide cover off the bench.

Speaking of Smith’s 50th cap, the Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus said the player is a true stalwart of the team and remains a very special player.

“Kwagga is a vastly talented player and a fantastic team member. I’m delighted to see him reach this big career milestone,” said Erasmus.

Kwagga Smith. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It takes a special player who performs consistently well over a few years to reach this achievement, and Kwagga has certainly done so while maintaining the same high standards at training and on the field. We are very proud of him.”

Sunday’s Test between the Thistles and Springboks at Murrayfield kicks off at 18:10.

Scotland - 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Blair Kinghorn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Replacements - 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Jamie Ritchie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Stafford McDowall

Springbok - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Grant Williams

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh/cg