World Cup | Ireland and South Africa
Ireland vs South Africa : Andy Farrell has kept the same front pack that began the third and deciding Test against New Zealand in Wellington in July.
Andrew Porter at loosehead, Dan Sheehan at hooker, and Tadhg Furlong at tighthead make up an all-Leinster front row. Tadhg Beirne of Munster and James Ryan of Leinster reteam in the second row, while Ulster captain Iain Henderson (knee) remains sidelined.
As a result of Henshaw’s withdrawal on Friday, Connacht center Bundee Aki is no longer included in the squad while serving an eight-game suspension for a dangerous clear-out at a ruck and his behavior towards match officials after. In his place, Garry Ringrose and Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey will partner in midfield.
McCloskey last played for Ireland in July of 2021, when they played the United States. Coach Paul O’Connell has commented, “We are really confident in Stuart.”
Ireland vs South Africa
“There have been times when he has been discouraged, but he has persisted through the process of selection. This is perfect for us since we thrive on healthy competition. We acquire a wider perspective, and we know he can do the job.”
Hugo Keenan, who hasn’t played since July due to knee and stomach problems, begins at fullback, while Connacht’s Mack Hansen starts on the wing opposite Baloucoune.
Johnny Sexton will lead the team from fly half, while Conor Murray will start at scrum half. Jamison Gibson-Park, who has been out for a long with a hamstring injury, will be on the bench.
Henderson (calf), James Lowe (calf), Andrew Conway (knee), and Keith Earls (thigh) are all injured and out for the rest of the season for Ireland.
Against Friday in Dublin, an Ireland A team will take on an All Blacks XV, thus players like center James Hume, scrum-half Craig Casey, flanker Nick Timoney, and No. 8 Gavin Coombes will not be available.
Ireland’s starting lineup is as follows: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris.
Here are the subs: #16 Rob Herring, #17 Cian Healy, #18 Finlay Bealham, #19 Kieran Treadwell, #20 Jack Conan, #21 Jamison Gibson-Park. Positions 22 Joey Carbery and 23 Jimmy O’Brien.
Kolbe starts for South Africa again after a three-month absence.
When the current world champion Springboks take on the Irish, Cheslin Kolbe will make his first international appearance since breaking his jaw in the Springboks’ series-clinching triumph over Wales in July.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has made two changes to the starting XV that beat Argentina in the Rugby Championship in September. Damian Willemse will start at fly-half, while Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to the right wing.
Nienaber said that the lineup they had assembled included the “optimal combinations” to deal with Ireland’s dangers.
“We believe Cheslin has the ability to provide a new dimension to our game at full-back, while Damian has done well for us at fly-half and is continuing to develop as a player in that capacity.
“After being sidelined for some time with a broken jaw against Wales, he has returned to play four 80-minute matches for Toulon, and we are confidence in his ability to rise to the occasion.
As the current number one rated team in the world, Ireland has shown to be a formidable opponent in Dublin.
