No Scots were named in the starting line-up or indeed on the replacement's bench for the first Test against South Africa.

Mike Phillips and Harry Ellis kept out Blair while lock forward Nathan Hines was surprisingly left out of the 22 in favour of Alun-Wyn Jones of Wales and Ireland's Donncha O'Callaghan.

Ford missed out on selection at hooker with Lea Mears of England and Wales No. 2 Matthew Rees getting the nod.

The Scotland man has been impressive in the scrum and useful in the loose during his tour outings so far but his throwing in to the line-out has not been accurate enough.

Now the Edinburgh hooker must hope he is a given a chance against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday to stake his claim for a place in the second Test, especially if Mears or Rees pick up injuries in the opener in Durban.

Ford, called up to replace Jerry Flannery, said: “If a chance does come my way then I know I need to take it. I’m looking to do a job.
"We’ve got the other two Tests still ahead and also the match against the Emerging Springboks, so there could be other opportunities for me."