Ireland
19
FULL TIME
South Africa
16
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.
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
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.
Biltong
Guest
Yes Willemse was poor in every aspect tonight.
Highlander
Roar Guru
A little higher up the food chain then
Biltong
Guest
I would start with the coaches Highlander.
Highlander
Roar Guru
You guys really need a halfback Biltong
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
And their opponents were wasting time
Virgil
Roar Rookie
Brilliant test match. Love the short, sharp passing of the Irish which reminds me of the old wallabies of 80s and 90s.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He's admitted that he was just coasting
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think you're really suffering from not having an off season
SwissRugbyFan
Roar Rookie
Feel with you. Same old same old. Frustrating
Dirk
Guest
Why is there an Aussie playing for Ireland? Could’ve sworn Hansen was on the books at NSW. Another example of top class foresight and management by RA?
UpTop
Guest
Not sure there's a team who are as good while missing their two most important players
Biltong
Guest
Same disappointing performance from the Boks. They supposedly have a strong maul, so do the Bulls, the Sharks, and the URC has a way of swimming around mauls that are seento be legal, and yetthey continue with mauls. Willemse was very poor, Kolbe unused at full back, Kriel doesn't have a creative bone in his body. No inventiveness on attack. Would love to know what went wrong in the scrum. Sticks is not a back line, Nienaber isnot a head coach, don't know who the forward coach is, but hecan go as well. Another ever frustrating season for the Springboks.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I love Harry’s writing but his over-egging of Willemse was called out tonight.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Enjoyed this game. The tightness is a reflection of the brutal power of both packs. Gibson-Park is certainly a far better player than what he was when he let NZ. SA paid for their lack of creativity earlier on. The replacement Irish prop has some good ball skills.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
WLR is the best flyhalf option for the Boks
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Is there still a debate about who is the best lock in the world?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Down to Willie though
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
He showed it against the ABs this year. At the end of the game I comment and they started doing more the ball in the backline but still too late.
Mick Gibson
Roar Rookie
Ironic that SA lose a game due to poor goal kicking.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Boks left at least 7 points on the park due to not having a settled kicker. The French will be licking their lips…….