Scotland in for Murrayfield mauling on the Beeb against Boks

Scotland continue their Autumn Internationals series with a home fixture against Heyneke Meyer’s ever-improving South Africa at Murrayfield, which is live on the BBC at 3pm.

The Scots managed to stay within 13 points of their Springbok adversaries in Nelspruit back in June, but the visitors have undoubtedly strengthened since and are taken to cruise past their hosts in Edinburgh.

South Africa to win with a 15-point handicap @ evens

An under-strength Scotland side shocked the Boks by coming out of the blocks quickest at the Mbombela Stadium, racing into a 10-6 half-time lead before being reeled in after the break and eventually going down to a 30-17 defeat.

Scott Johnson’s charges will take heart from that close encounter ahead of this clash, but South Africa have wiped the floor with every team they have come across since – bar all-conquering New Zealand of course.

Home and away 20+ point thrashings of Australia in September marked Meyer’s men out as an improving unit and the impressive nine-point win in Cardiff against Six Nations champions Wales confirmed that analysis.

With influential lock Bakkies Botha set to start against the Scots after missing the match in June, South Africa should be able to build a solid platform at set-pieces and are a value bet to glide past the handicap mark.

Jean de Villiers to score a try @ 11/4

The 32-year-old went over in both of the Springboks’ last two matches against Wales and the All Blacks, bringing his scoring tally for South Africa up to 125 points.

De Villiers will target his 16st-plus frame on a Scotland 10-12 channel which is likely to include Sean Lamont, who weighs in at around two-stone lighter than the Stormers centre.

The 94-cap veteran will be favourite to get the better of his opposite number and is an appealing price to touch down at some point in the match.