South Africa vs Scotland preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Pool B fixture at St James Park

Willie le Roux tackles Stuart Hogg (Getty Images)

A deciding battle between South Africa and Scotland will go a long way to deciding who will emerge as Pool B winners. A win will see Scotland top the group.

It’s a big game for…

Blair Cowan: A recent call up to the Scotland side and some say controversial. Grant Gilchrist has left the squad through injury, so Cowan has his chance. He must prove he is worthy of the praise laid upon him and replicate his club form for his national side.

Teams...

South Africa: Willie Le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie Du Preez, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lodewyk De Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie Du Plessis, Bismarck Du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Pieter Steph Du Toit, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Patrick Lambie, Jan Serfontein.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Richard Vernon, Matt Scott, Tim Visser; Duncan Weir, Greg Laidlaw; 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, Peter Horne, Sean Lamont.

Best stat…

22 v 4: This is the respective tries scored for South Africa and Scotland in the last 7 tests between them. In the last two fixtures, Scotland have failed to cross the line.

Remember when…

Springbok forward dominance reigned at Murrayfield. In 2013, an early try from a driving maul set the tone for a great contest between the two sides. Some backs magic slipped in, but the first try is a real beauty for the purist.

Player to watch…

JP Pietersen: Not many score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, and to score one against Samoa is a very impressive feat. His training as a wing, centre and full-back means he can slot in anywhere and suddenly appears when you least expect him. His opposite man, Tim Visser, also gets a mention for his yards gained in the most recent Scotland fixture against

Past three-meetings…

South Africa 55 (Le Roux, Coetzee 2), Pietersen, Mvovo) - Scotland 6. Summer Internationals, June 2014

Scotland 0 - South Africa 28 (Alberts, Le Roux, Pietersen, Oosthuizen) Autumn Internationals, November 2013

South Africa 30 (Pen.Try, Englebrecht, Serfontein) - Scotland 17 (Scott, Dunbar) Summer Internationals, June 2013.

Form guide…

South Africa: LLLWLW

Scotland: LWWLWW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 16.45. Saturday 3rd October 2015.

TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV