Libbok with two penalties after early miss; Russell halves deficit with last act of half
Du Toit bursts over for opening try early before Arendse capitalises on cross-kick
Reigning champions South Africa start with win
Scotland now face tough task to reach knock-outs
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
You have to go back 13 years for the last time Scotland beat the Springboks.
Dan Parks kicked every Scottish point that day, as Scotland triumphed 21-17 at Murrayfield, but there have been seven straight wins for South Africa since then.
Does that mean Scotland are due a result? That's how it works, right...
Image source, SNSSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound
A few South African journalists have been stirring it this week, a not uncommon occurrence in Springbok rugby, to be honest.
They've been saying that Duhan van der Merwe will have a "target on his back" today, not because he's a South African himself but because of an incident that happened during the Lions tour in 2021.
Early in the first half, Van der Merwe dumped Pieter-Steph du Toit on his backside and that was the end of the great flanker's series. It's a touch mischief-making from the Bok scribblers, but they seem adamant that big Duhan is getting it today...
Image source, GettySouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells ITV: "We do believe this is an opportunity. We've been building to a level where we can take on the best in the world.
"We have belief in our players. We've gone up against powerful teams and handled that physicality. Today is probably a step up and that's the challenge for the players.
"We have had recent victories and good performances against some of the best. We need that again and a bit extra."
Image source, PA MediaSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
This is about as tough a group as you could possibly get.
With South Africa, Scotland and Ireland all in this pool, there are three of the top five sides in the world battling it out for the two quarter-final spots.
There is going to be one seriously good side going home disappointed. Lose today, and there's no further room for error.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Johnnie Beattie
Former Scotland back row on BBC Radio Scotland
It's going to be an arm wrestle physically up front and with the set piece. But if you can make it unstructured and get some early points on the board, that's where Scotland can pounce.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45 BST)
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Scotland under Gregor Townsend have become known for their attacking flair, a side that can score tries against any side in world rugby.
Their back-line is stacked with talent, and led by Finn Russell at 10, South Africa will be wary of Scotland if they can get front-foot ball.
That is where the problem lies though.
South Africa's physicality, their brute force, their sheer size is what sets them apart from pretty much every other team in the world.
They will back themselves to bully Scotland up front, dominate the set-piece, and not allow Russell and co to go wide.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Just a heads-up that in addition to following the live text updates for this game, you can also listen to the BBC's radio coverage via the links at the top of the page.
Or pop over to the BBC Sounds app if you'd prefer. Entirely up to you.
Image source, SNSSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Bobby Skinstad
Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio Scotland
It's a really tricky opening game for South Africa. This Scottish side have got more flair than Scotland have shown in previous years.
They score long-range tries and have big, hard, strong outside backs. They've also got a gritty, nuggety forward pack.
We've seen in the United Rugby Championship the Scottish sides dominating South African sides up front at times.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Gregor Townsend's team selection for this game featured no surprises, no curveballs.
There are six changes from the side that beat Georgia in Scotland's final warm-up fixture, but really, this team pretty much picks itself.
Darcy Graham returns from injury in a hugely exciting back three alongside Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn.
Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and Zander Fagerson return to the front row and lock Richie Gray comes back in to bolster the Scottish lineout.
Jack Dempsey edges out Matt Fagerson at number eight, with captain Jamie Ritchie and young tearaway Rory Darge either side of him.
Ewan Ashman and George Horne both miss out on the 23 with concussion.
Image source, PA MediaSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber named his side two days early, and retains 11 of the players who started the 35-7 win over New Zealand at Twickenham.
Jasper Wiese comes in at number eight and winger Cheslin Kolbe returns on the left wing.
Scrum-half Faf de Klerk will make his 50th appearance for South Africa today, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel form the centre partnership.
De Allende, De Klerk, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, lock Eben Etzebeth, prop Frans Malherbe and captain Siya Kolisi remain from the 2019 final victory, while Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert all came off the bench that day against England.
Long-time first choice full-back Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen and RG Snyman are World Cup winners among the replacements this time, with a 6-2 split between forwards and backs.
Image source, PA MediaSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Speaking of that baking heat - it's 30 degrees out in the south of France.
Hope these fans have slapped some factor 50 on.
Image source, PA MediaSouth Africa v Scotland (16:45)
Andy Burke
BBC Scotland rugby reporter in Marseille
The day is finally here, and in the baking heat of Marseille the Scottish fans have travelled in their numbers to see if maybe, just maybe, the Scots can throw a stick of dynamite into this tournament by turning over the defending champions.
The Springboks have pitched up at the World Cup with the ominous swagger of a team who has inflicted merciless beatings on Wales and New Zealand in the warm-ups. They look like they fully expect to retain the trophy they won in Japan four years ago.
Scotland at their best can cause South Africa problems, of that there is no doubt. The problem is Scotland could produce their best ever performance and it still might be not be enough against such a formidable side.
All they can do is deliver a high level display, hope the Springboks are a little bit off it, and see where it takes them.
Scotland have been in the waiting room outside the door of being contenders for quite some time now, never quite being able to take that step over the threshold. If ever there was a time to do it, today at the Stade Velodrome is it.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
South Africa XV: D Willemse, K Arendse, J Kriel, D de Allende, C Kolbe, M Libbok, F de Klerk; S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, F Mostert, S Kolisi (capt), P du Toit, J Wiese.
Replacements: B Mbonambi, O Nche, T Nyakane, R Snyman, M van Staden, D Vermeulen, G Williams, W le Roux.
Scotland XV: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (capt), Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Redpath, Smith.
South Africa v Scotland (16:45)
The big day is upon us. Scotland's World Cup campaign starts here in Marseille...
They are straight in at the deep end though. The reigning champions South Africa lie in wait, fresh from absolutely hammering New Zealand in their last outing.
How are we feeling? Nervous, scared, excited, all of the above? Aye, me too.
Kick-off is an hour away, so let's get to it...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images