Scots must be mentally ready to beat the Boks, says skipper Tuipulotu

Edinburgh. - Ahead of Sunday's Test against the Springboks at Murrayfield, Scotland must overcome a psychological hurdle they have often stumbled over in the past: Not to think that they are already beaten by South Africa.

"The most important thing is that, when we get off the team bus, we are here to win," said the Scots' captain and inside centre, Sione Tuipulotu, at a news conference at Murrayfield on Saturday.

"Many of the matches against the Boks are lost even before the first whistle is blown. We must make sure that this is not our fate."

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Tuipulotu, 27, who has just extended his contract with the Glasgow Warriors by three seasons, believes Scotland can take a big step forward as a team with a victory over the Boks.

"We have been looking for a win over teams like the All Blacks, Springboks, or Ireland for a long time. If we win, it will give us confidence and serve as a starting point for the team we want to become. We see this match as an opportunity to take the first step in what we want to achieve."

Tuipulotu is under no illusions that the Scottish backs will be given significantly less room to move than in last weekend's 57-17 victory over Fiji.

"It's going to be very different. As a backline, we will also have to be prepared to do the dirty work because that's what is needed against a particularly good team like South Africa. We would like to get the ball to our back three, but that’s not our only route," he says.

Tuipulotu adds that the Boks' move to choose seven forwards and only one back on the bench does not change Scotland’s plans.

"The Boks have gone 7-1 before and are the only team in world rugby that does it. I think it's