Gregor Townsend: South Africa provide the biggest physical challenge

A relaxed Gregor Townsend spoke to the media ahead of his side's clash with the Springboks at Murrayfield this Saturday. 

Townsend joked about his and his coaching staff's footballing ability before getting stuck into discussing his team selection for the test against South Africa.

The Scotland head coach spoke about how impactful his bench has been over the past two weeks and said: "to beat one of the best teams in the world you need an 80-minute performance".

Townsend also highlighted the Springboks strength at set-piece time and the physicality the Springboks bring to the game.

"If you ask any coach in World Rugby who is the team that provides the biggest challenge in the game, physically, in the forwards? it's South Africa and it's always has been" he said.

He went on to say that the Springboks have evolved over the past few seasons but have still stuck to their traditional strengths.

"They have not gone away from their forward pack, they select their biggest, strongest men they can find"