Captain Rachel Malcolm prefers to "count the moments" rather than caps as she prepares to make her 50th Scotland appearance against Italy on Saturday.

The back-row will start the WVX2 opener in Cape Town, with the Scots beginning their defence of the title they won in South Africa last season.

Malcolm says it is "surreal" to reach a half-century of caps and is relishing being part of a Scotland team on the up.

"I'm really fortunate in all this that I've had some incredible times, some incredible memories, and some tough times, which have made those memories even more special," Malcolm, 33, said.

"To get to run out for my 50th, it's super special for me, but probably more importantly for the people that have supported me through those tough times.

"I feel lucky to have been a part of that kind of tail-end of the non-professional era and able to then really appreciate what we have now.

"We've hit so many cool milestones over the last two years in particular, and this group has so much potential it's yet to fulfil."