NEWCASTLE (UNITED KINGDOM) - Duncan Weir will have the heavy responsibility of directing play for Scotland in their crucial World Cup Pool B match with South Africa in Newcastle on Saturday.
Duncan Weir (pictured) has been named at fly-half for Scotland against South Africa on Saturday because first choice Finn Russell has not recovered from a knock to his ankle
The 24-year-old has been named at fly-half because first choice Finn Russell has not recovered from a knock to his ankle suffered in the 39-16 win over the United States last Sunday.
Russell's absence is a major blow to the unbeaten Scots. He played a key role in the wins over Japan -- he scored a try on his 23rd birthday -- and United States which saw them collect maximum points.
Scotland top the table by three points from the Springboks, who bounced back from losing 34-32 to Japan by hammering Samoa 46-6 last Saturday.
Coach Vern Cotter, who has already lost influential lock Grant Gilchrist for the rest of the World Cup, has made 10 changes from the side that beat United States to take on the Springboks.
Gilchrist's place in the second row goes to veteran Richie Gray, who will win his 50th cap, and partners younger brother Jonny in the engine room of the scrum.
Cotter has also thrown New Zealand-born flanker Blair Cowan straight into the starting line-up as another Kiw-born back row forward John Hardie sits a second straight game out after suffering a head injury in the win over Japan.
Elsewhere Cotter has preferred Netherlands-born wing Tim Visser, who scored a try against the United States, to veteran Sean Lamont, who started the Japan game but is on the bench for this Test.
Team (15-1)
Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Matt Scott, Tim Visser; Duncan Weir, Greig Laidlaw (capt); David Denton, Blair Cowan, Josh Strauss; Jonny Gray, Richie Gray; WP Nel, Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid
Replacements: Ross Ford, Alasdair Dickinson, Jon Welsh, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Pete Horne, Sean Lamont
Coach: Vern Cotter (NZL)