Bakkies Botha's South African test career on the line against Scotland

At the age of 34, and with 76 caps already to his name, Bakkies Botha will be playing for his international future when he returns to the South Africa side for the second match of their European tour against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has given the Toulon lock the chance to re-establish himself as a Springbok, two years and two months after Botha's last appearance for his country - against Namibia at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand - selecting the veteran alongside Flip van der Merwe in the second row.

Asked whether Botha would be part of his long-term planning, on the road to the 2015 World Cup in England, Meyer replied: "I've had a discussion with Bakkies. I first want to see if he's still good enough to play for South Africa. We want to see what he can do.

"He's brought some fresh vibes to the squad and he's been really good in training," Meyer said of the 2007 World Cup-winner. "I've coached Bakkies since he was 20 and he's in the best condition I've seen him in. He's lost a lot of weight. He's very fit and really mobile again."

Eben Etzebeth drops to the bench to accommodate Botha.

Scotland, under the charge of interim head coach Scott Johnson, have recalled their chief breakdown operator, openside flanker John Barclay who replaces captain Kelly Brown in the number seven jersey.