White named to counter Springboks
 |  Skipper Bulloch, right, hopes for a Scotland win on his 70th appearance |
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EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Scotland coach Matt Williams has beefed up his back row to stand up to the power of South Africa when the teams meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Jason White comes off the bench to start at blindside and Ally Hogg moves from the number six berth to number eight after last week's defeat by Australia.
The net effect is that Jon Petrie, who started at number eight last week, reverts to the bench.
The introduction of White to the starting side reflects Williams' concern about the physical nature of the South Africa pack.
"We are up against a very good Springbok side and need a player like Jason," said the coach.
Hogg's switch to number eight underlines the Edinburgh player's sheer versatility.
"Ally can play at six, seven, or eight. He's an outstanding performer and was one of the best players on the field last weekend," said Williams.
Saturday's match will mark the 50th test appearance for Chris Paterson, who has played international rugby at fullback, wing and flyhalf.
What Paterson's optimum position should be is a matter of national debate in Scotland; he will start on the right wing against the Springboks.
However, Williams believes that it is Paterson's ability not to be typecast that is his strength.
"We want Chris to have a roving commission. In many respects he is a similar player to David Campese. Many Australians wanted Campese to play at standoff but he was at his best on the wing.
"Chris is an instinctive player and should have a roving role
Meanwhile captain Gordon Bulloch equals Kenny Logan's record as second most-capped Scotland international on 70 appearances.
And Williams called for a large turn out of fans in a bid to help Scotland repeat their 2002 Murrayfield win against South Africa.
"South Africa are the Tri-Nations champions and represent formidable opposition but our players are eager and ready," he said.
Defeats by Ireland and England brought the Springboks down to earth but they are determined to sign off on a winning note at a ground where they lost 21-6 last time out -- their first defeat to Scotland in 33 years.
Coach Jake White has made seven changes from the team outclassed by England.
Prop Gurthro Steenkamp and flanker Solly Tyibilika will win their first caps while wing Bryan Habana makes his first start.
Newly crowned international players' player of the year Schalk Burger is among those given a rest.
For Scotland, victory would stem a run of defeats, five in a row in the Six Nations championship and then four reverses to Australia in the space of five months.
Their only win this year has been against a second string Japan side.
Italy shuffle
Injuries and absences have forced coach John Kirwan to reshuffle his squad for Italy's test match against the United States in Biella on Saturday.
With centers Andrea Masi and Gonzalo Canale both injured, and four regular starters - flankers Mauro Bergamasco and Aaron Persico and second rows Marco Bortolami and Santiago Dellape - committed to playing for their French clubs, Kirwan has opted to field a relatively young side.
Flyhalf Luciano Orquera, 23, gets into the starting 15 for the first time, having previously come on as a replacement earlier this month against Canada and New Zealand.
Italy Under-21 captain Valerio Bernabo wins his first cap, standing in for Bortolami, while hooker Fabio Ongaro celebrates his 26th international appearance with the captaincy.
United States coach Tom Billups has made one change to the team that lost 55-6 to Ireland last weekend.
A shoulder injury to Tony Petruzzella means Jurie Gouws will step in as openside flanker.
The teams have met only once before -- a 30-9 victory for Italy in a 1991 World Cup pool game in England.
Flyhalf Mike Hercus, who has scored 275 points in 22 internationals with the Eagles, can set a new national points record if he grabs 12 points against the Azzurri.
