WITH thousands of rugby fans having descended on Newcastle, St James' Park is set to stage the first of three Rugby World Cup matches to be held in the North-East.

Scotland take on South Africa in their penultimate Pool B game at 4.45pm, with the atmosphere building as kick-off approaches.

Having won their opening two games against Japan and the United States, the Scots know another victory this evening will all but guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals.

However, with next weekend's game against Samoa offering an easier opportunity of a victory, Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has made a number of changes to his team, with some of his key players given a rest.

South Africa have no margin for error after their surprise opening-game defeat to Japan, and Heyneke Meyer has selected a full-strength line up as he attempts to keep his side in the competition.

South Africa: Le Roux, Pietersen, Kriel, de Allende, Habana, Pollard, du Preez; Mtawarira, B Du Plessis, J Du Plessis, Etzebeth, De Jager, Louw, Burger, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Strauss, Nyakane, Malherbe, du Tiot, Alberts, Pienaar, Lambie, Serfontein.

Scotland: Hogg, Seymour, Vernon, Scott, Visser, Weir, Laidlaw; Reid, Brown, Nel, R Gray, J Gray, Strauss, Cowan, Denton.

Replacements: Ford, Dickinson, Welsh, Swinson, Wilson, Hidalgo-Clyne, Horne, Lamont.