Edinburgh Rugby in South Africa: Big beasts return and ball will fly as Blair bids to tame Lions

Edinburgh enter the Lions’ den in Johannesburg on Saturday and have drafted in a few big beasts of their own as they seek to end their South African mini-tour with a second victory.

An all-new front row comprising Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally and WP Nel has been picked for the match at Ellis Park while another Scotland international forward, Grant Gilchrist, comes in at lock.

The backs are strengthened by inclusion of Darcy Graham and Henry Immelman, with the latter’s selection at full-back meaning Emiliano Boffelli switches to the wing.

Two of the front three are South African born and bred as Mike Blair looks to fight fire with fire at the scrum, and the head coach expects them to rise to the occasion.

“There is definitely extra motivation from the South Africa players,” said Blair. “Not just Schoemy. Jaco [van der Walt] being on the bench against his old team, we have WP in there, we have Henry Immelman as well. I think there is always an extra bit of motivation because they want to show their country of birth what they have been doing and what they have been achieving.

“Some of them will be playing in front of their families, some of them, who haven't seen their families in a wee while. [Luan] de Bruin's family has also come up to see him, so extra motivation.”

Edinburgh were hugely impressive in beating the Sharks in Durban, becoming the first Northern Hemisphere side to win in South Africa in the United Rugby Championship.

The degree of difficulty increases this weekend because the match takes place at altitude and the squad visited the stadium on Friday to get a feel of how the conditions might affect them.

Ellis Park - or Emirates Airlines Park as it’s now known - is one of rugby’s iconic venues and its