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Ireland are out to cement their status as the number one team in the world when they host the third-ranked Springboks in a clash of the titans. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 4:15am (AEDT).
Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe will play his first Test at fullback when returns to the team to face world No.1 Ireland.
Damian Willemse has come in at No. 10 replacing Frans Steyn, while Kurt-Lee Arendse is picked on the wing for the injured Canan Moodie.
“Ireland are the top ranked team in the world and they’ve shown in the past that they can be a force to be reckoned with in Dublin,” said coach Jacques Nienaber.
“Obviously we are a long way out from the World Cup, but we have a limited number of matches left before the competition and the preparation doesn’t get better than playing a side we will face in the World Cup and the number one side in the world.”
Conor Murray will make his first Ireland start in almost a year and will claim a 100th cap after Andy Farrell made two changes from the side that wrapped up July’s series victory in New Zealand.
There was initially just one other change from the win over the All Blacks, with Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune coming in for the injured James Lowe. However, centre Robbie Henshaw was later ruled out and replaced by Stuart McCloskey.
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Game information
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 4:30am (AEDT) Streaming: Stan Sport Betting: Ireland $1.55, Springboks $2.45 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Ireland
Hugo Keenan, Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton (captain), Conor Murray, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Reserves: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson Park, Joey Carbery.
South Africa
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Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.
Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux.
