June defeat inspires Scots – Jackson

Scotland fly-half Ruaridh Jackson believes their loss to South Africa in June will offer extra motivation for his side on Sunday.

Scotland fly-half Ruaridh Jackson is confident the memory of June's 30-17 defeat to South Africa will offer extra motivation for his side on Sunday.

The Scots welcome the Springboks to Murrayfield five months on from their frustrating loss to them in Nelspruit.

Despite missing a number of players through injury, Jackson's side impressed as they matched their hosts for much of the game, before conceding points late on to fall away.

“The boys were disappointed after that one and we can definitely use these emotions as motivation,” Jackson told the Daily Record.

“First and foremost it will be great to get them on home turf – we have a desire to win every match at Murrayfield.

“We want to perform for the crowd and make the whole nation proud of us.

“And we know for that to happen we will have to put in a huge effort.

“If we can play to the standards we reached in the first 60 or 70 minutes in Nelspruit we can pose big problems and spark a wee upset.”

Elsewhere, ex-Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair believes victory over Japan – the weakest of their November Test opponents – will offer ideal preparation before facing the Boks and the Wallabies in quick succession.

The Scots overcame Japan 42-17, and the former- number nine says the win will give the Murrayfield side added belief.

“Scotland's 42-17 win over Japan showed the benefit of playing the weakest of Autumn international opposition on the first weekend,” said Blair.

“In most of the previous campaigns, Scotland have played two of the southern hemisphere big guns followed by a lower-ranking side.

“This way round they have bought themselves some game time to iron out their attacking and defensive structures.

“There will have been a few moments of anxiety after Japan's second try brought them within a point but they drew away nicely.”