Captain Jamie Ritchie is joined in the back row by openside Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey at No 8.

Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist, both of whom will be appearing at a third Rugby World Cup, combine in the second row.

George Turner gets the nod at hooker, packing down with Pierre Schoeman (loosehead prop) and Zander Fagerson (tighthead).

In the back division, Finn Russell – also primed for a third RWC – links up with scrumhalf Ben White, with centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones continuing their partnership for the Springbok showdown.

Prolific wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham are joined in the back three by fullback Blair Kinghorn.

Scotland’s forward replacements comprise hooker Dave Cherry, props Jamie Bhatti and WP Nel (the latter another set to appear at a third RWC), as well as the versatile Scott Cummings and Matt Fagerson.

Scrumhalf Ali Price, centre Cameron Redpath and fullback Ollie Smith complete Townsend’s 23-player selection.

Injury update: Stuart McInally has travelled out to France as injury cover for Ewan Ashman, who is recovering from an injury picked up in training this week which ruled him out of the match against South Africa. McInally has not joined the 33-player squad.

Scotland team:
15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) - 46 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) - 35 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) - 39 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) - 19 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) - 31 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – 72 caps
9. Ben White (Toulon) - 16 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) - 12 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) - 11 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (captain, Edinburgh Rugby) – 43 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby)– 65 caps
4. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) - 75 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) - 59 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) - 37 caps
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) - 23 caps
Replacements:
16. Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) - 10 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) - 32 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) - 57 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) - 29 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) - 36 caps
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) - 63 caps
22. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) - 7 caps
23. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) - 6 caps

Scotland name team to face Boks in Marseille

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has announced his squad to face South Africa in their Rugby World Cup opener in Marseille on Sunday, 10 September.