Townsend, who has made 14 changes for the match at Murrayfield, took positives out of Scotland’s 42-28 defeat in Pretoria last weekend.
“Probably the most important element was how resilient we were when we went behind on two occasions,” he said.
“But there were moments where we switched off just our focus a couple of times in attack and a couple of times in defence.
“When you’re playing the best teams in the world, and South Africa are the best team in the world right now, those small moments can cost you and they did at the weekend.”
Fiji scored three tries in a 39-24 defeat by Wales before losing 73-8 to England in their opening Nations Championship games.
“We know this opposition,” Townsend added. “They might not be the number one team in the world, but they’re probably the most dangerous team in the world if you switch off.
“And switching off is not just right in front of you, it might 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.”
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