The Springboks will get their first look at the British and Irish Lions on Saturday when the Europeans tackle Japan in a once-off Test at Murrayfield.
Lions coach Warren Gatland named his side for the clash yesterday, including South African-born Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe on the wing, with lock Alun Wyn Jones leading a strong team.
Opposing them will be a Japan team that impressed all during the 2019 World Cup and South African hooker Malcolm Marx, who plays his rugby in Japan, reckons the Asian team will provide good opposition to the Lions.
Marx says: “Everybody saw in the World Cup the style of rugby Japan played – they play an expansive game, they run a lot.
“Obviously we don’t know what the British and Irish Lions are going to bring…”
Lions coach Gatland agrees with Marx’s assessment, quoted by the team’s website as saying: “We’re anticipating a tough game against Japan – a side that like to play at a high-tempo and shift the ball.
“We saw throughout the World Cup they have attacking threats across the park and a solid defence and set piece.
“We are absolutely delighted to be playing in front of 16 000 supporters in Edinburgh.
“I’m sure the crowd will give the players an enormous lift before we depart for South Africa on Sunday.”
British and Irish Lions: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rory Sutherland. Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Ali Price, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Anthony Watson.