Four Ireland changes as Arendse ruled out for Boks

Ireland vs. South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium Kickoff Time: 17:40 GMT on Saturday, November 22

For Saturday’s eagerly awaited Test against world champions South Africa, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has changed four things in his starting lineup.

Due to hamstring issues, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier were called back after Australia and Japan lost.

Caelan Doris switches to number eight as a result of Van der Flier’s switch to open-side flanker, and Jack Conan is replaced on the bench.

Bundee Aki, who will start for Ireland for the first time since being defeated by France in March, will play midfield alongside Ringrose.

Stuart McCloskey, who scored the winning goal against Australia last week, was forced to miss earlier this week due to a recurring groin injury he sustained in the defeat by the All Blacks.

Robbie Henshaw, who made his Australian debut against Australia in the outside center, is not included in the matchday squad, with Tom Farrell, who was named center of honor, named as centre of honor on the bench.

After impressing against Australia, Sam Prendergast is promoted to fly-half, and Mack Hansen, who scored a tries in the 46-19 Wallabies loss, retains the starting lineup.

“South Africa are the world champions, and we are aware of the challenge that lies ahead this weekend,” Farrell said.

“We’ll look to build on the momentum from last weekend and approach the game positively whenever you face a top side,” the player said. “Whenever you face a top side, you know that you must be on top of your game and that you will be tested.

After switching his squad for the win over Italy last week, South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled several key players, including center Damian de Allende, center Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and second row Eben Etzebeth.

Lood de Jager and Kurt-Lee Arendse are replaced by Ruan Nortje and Canan Moodie in the impressive 32-17 victory over France a fortnight ago.

Arendse, who scored a try for South Africa against Ireland in Pretoria last year, has returned to South Africa after getting a concussion against the Italians, while De Jager is suspended following his red card against France.

Due to this week’s disciplinary hearing, Franco Mostert’s selection was not taken into account. South Africa claim they did not want the team’s preparations to have an impact on the second row’s decision to overturn his red card from Wednesday against Italy.

RG Snyman will earn his 50th Springboks Test cap off the bench as he plays alongside the majority of the Ireland squad at Leinster.

It was always our intention to name an experienced outfit against Ireland, and the majority of this team were rested last week to make sure they recovered from the physically taxing match against France, “said Erasmus.

South Africa have not won in Dublin since 2012, suffering defeats in 2014, 2017 and 2022.

We know how difficult it will be to win in Ireland, so this group of players will undoubtedly inspire us,” added Erasmus.

R. Kelleher, P. McCarthy, F. Bealham, C. Prendergast, J. Conan, C. Casey, J. Crowley, and T. Farrell are the replacements.

Willemse, Moodie, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Reinach, Venter, Marx, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi (capt), PS du Toit, Wiese, and others in South Africa.