Uncapped flank Cornell du Preez is one of four South African-born players in Scotland's 37-man squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.

The 25-year-old Du Preez and his Edinburgh teammate Simon Berghan (from New Zealand) are the only uncapped players in the group.

Props Allan Dell and WP Nel, who is back from injury, along with No 8 Josh Strauss have also been included after strong performances in recent weeks.

Elsewhere Stormers centre Huw Jones has been retained in the squad by Cotter.

'It’s a well-balanced and exciting group that have played a lot of rugby together, know each other well and are ambitious to do well in a Scotland jersey,' said Cotter.

'I think if we get our mind-set right we can be competitive and push for wins in every game in this campaign.'

Scotland squad:

Forwards – Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, John Barclay, Cornell du Preez, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.

Backs – Greig Laidlaw (c), Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Stuart Hogg, Damien Hoyland, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser.

Photo: Raymond Roig/AFP Photo