Two games from the weekend’s EOTY internationals that stand out are Scotland vs South Africa and Ireland vs New Zealand.
Scotland have won nine of their last ten tests at Murrayfield and will be looking to claim the scalp of the Springboks, who controversially lost by a point to a second string England side at Twickenham, and then beat France with an injury time try.
With Faf de Klerk having returned to Sale, coach Rassie Erasmus has named Embrose Papier at scrum half. Papier has had very limited game time with the Boks, but has the benefit of being paired with his Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard.
With Warren Whiteley injured, Duane Vermeulen packs down at 8, with Pieter-Steph du Toit at blindside.
Pre match odds: Scotland to win at 6/4, South Africa to win at 8/11
Ireland v New Zealand
The Irish suffered heartbreak when Dane Coles scored a try in the corner and Aaron Cruden converted from the sideline in Dublin five years ago, and this is an opportunity for revenge. Kiwi Joe Schmidt has been building a powerful side, although he’ll be without the likes of Conor Murray and Sean O’Brien. There was another late withdrawal in the form of flanker Dan Leavy, which has pushed Josh van der Flier into the starting XV.
New Zealand were slow to start off at Twickenham but came back into the game and probably deserved their win on the balance of play. SBW is injured, so we’ll get to see the Crusaders centre pairing of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue outside Beauden Barrett.
Pre match odds: Ireland to win at 5/2, Draw at 30/1, All Blacks to win at 4/9