Scotland head coach Scott Johnson has bolstered his squad with seven call-ups after Matt Scott was ruled out of the rest of the autumn Tests with a fractured hand.
The Edinburgh centre went off in the closing stages of Scotland’s 42-17 win over Japan on Saturday and a visit to a specialist in Leeds confirmed a fractured bone.
The 23-year-old faces six weeks on the sidelines and Johnson is taking no chances as his medical team monitors five other players, although none of them have been ruled out of Sunday’s match against South Africa at Murrayfield.
Johnson has brought in Edinburgh backs Jack Cuthbert, Tom Brown and Lee Jones along with their team-mate, flanker Ross Rennie, who is getting back to full fitness after injury. Glasgow prop Jon Welsh also comes in along with team-mate Byron McGuigan and Leeds back Stevie McColl. McGuigan and McColl are uncapped.
The powerful 25-year-old McColl, who can play full-back or centre, was players’ player of the season at Championship side Leeds last season.
Forwards Ryan Grant and Alastair Kellock are making good progress after suffering concussion against Japan, as is stand off Duncan Weir, who has a minor groin injury.
Saturday’s man of the match, Tim Swinson (shoulder) and scrum half Greig Laidlaw (calf) were forced to miss training yesterday but neither has been ruled out for Sunday.
Johnson is due to name his team today after picking a largely familiar side to face Japan, although home debutant Swinson started in the second row ahead of Richie Gray and Tommy Seymour grabbed two tries in his first Murrayfield cap.
Another milestone was Duncan Weir’s first international try and the Glasgow stand off is delighted to be back involved and making his mark after missing the summer tournament in South Africa with a broken leg.
Weir said: “It was a special moment and being here at Murrayfield with friends and family, it’s one I will always remember.
“Watching the guys away in South Africa in the summer was hard going but days such as making my six nations debut at Murrayfield, those special memories drive you to do the rehab to get yourself back to create more memories and share them with your friends and family.
“I take every second I have on the pitch and just enjoy it. The selection policy is down to the coaches and you can only do your very best to ensure he has got you in the forefront of his head.
“I was just delighted to come in and make an impact and get my first try as well.”