Scotland's midfield, the key to their unexpected Five Nations triumph last spring, is reunited for Sunday's meeting with the world champions South Africa at Murrayfield.

Gregor Townsend has recovered from recent knee surgery to take his place at out-half. John Leslie, back in Scotland after spending a summer with his Japanese club Sanix, is outside him and Alan Tait also returns after spraining his ankle in a training game.

The absence of Leslie, who scored from the kick-off on his Five Nations debut against Wales in February, was notable during World Cup warm-ups against Argentina and Romania. But the Scotland coach Jim Telfer admitted his team would have to reach previously unscaled heights to win their Pool A opener. In 11 previous meetings the Scots have failed to beat South Africa.

"All the forwards face a huge task, especially in the front row," said Telfer, "and I know I can count on my awkward little fellows." He would have been thinking in particular of Tom Smith, his very own Mighty Mouse, restored to loose-head prop after breaking a leg against Ireland. Smith was an unexpected success against the much bigger Springbok props on the 1997 Lions tour.

Telfer has also opted for mobility in the back row, which does not feature a single native Scot. The New Zealand-born Gordon Simpson is at number eight alongside John's brother, Martin Leslie, and Northampton's Budge Pountney from the Channel Isles. Stuart Grimes is selected ahead of his Newcastle club-mate Doddie Weir in the second row.

After suffering four defeats on the trot during the summer, the Springboks are hardly a squad teeming with confidence as they prepare to defend their hard-won crown. But Grimes is not fooled into thinking Sunday's opponents are no longer a force.

"Just playing as well as we did in France last season would not be enough," said the Newcastle lock. Grimes's meteoric rise will be completed when he runs out at Murrayfield for his first World Cup match.

Four years ago, he was completing his studies with Edinburgh University, before joining Watsonians on a part-time contract. Now the 25-year-old Aberdonian is an established member of coach Jim Telfer's squad, turning in a serious of impressive displays which have left Weir kicking his heels on the bench.

The Springboks name their side today with Bobby Skinstad expected to take the contentious number eight spot that until recently was the private property of the now deposed captain Gary Teichmann.