Nations Championship: Scotland set for tri-fest with Fiji

Townsend, who made 14 changes for the match at Murrayfield, took the positives from Scotland’s 42-28 defeat in Pretoria last weekend.

“Probably the most important element was how resilient we were when we fell behind on two occasions,” he said.

“But there were moments where we lost our focus a few times in attack and a few times in defense.

“When you’re playing the best team in the world, and South Africa are the best team in the world right now, those little moments can cost you and they did at the weekend.”

Fiji scored three tries in a 39-24 loss to Wales before losing 73-8 to England in their first Nations Championship game.

“We know this opposition,” Townsend added. “They may not be the number one team in the world, but if you switch off they are probably the most dangerous team in the world.

“And the switch off isn’t right in front of you, it could be 50 yards away because Fiji can move the ball and they can run out their own line and suddenly you think you’re not going to be involved.”