Ringrose in for Aki as Farrell names Ireland squad to face Springboks

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named a strong side to face reigning world champions South Africa in the second of their two tests this summer.

Last weekend the visitors felt the full power of the Springboks as they were bowled over 27-20 in Pretoria, a scoreline that the travelling side would like to flip on its head this week.

Ireland remain with many of their normal starting players ineligible for selection due to injuries and other commitments, including Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen,  Jack Conan and Iain Henderson. This time around there will be the promising return of Garry Ringrose to the starting team, albeit at the expense of the injured Bundee Aki.

Leinster man Caelan Doris is set to captain the side once again, with former captain Peter O’Mahony waiting on the bench for his opportunity.

Ireland’s defence coach Simon Easterby was recently feeling positive heading into the final test, saying:

“When you put in a performance that doesn’t match the levels the lads have put in across the last couple of seasons, then there is clearly disappointment.

“There is no better group to take responsibility for that, to get a second opportunity this weekend.”

During the 29 overall matches between the two sides, Ireland have won just 9, compared to South Africa’s 19, with just one draw between them.

Ireland team to face South Africa in Durban:

Player/Club/Province/Caps

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(1)
14. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(7)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(59)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(73)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(32)
10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(15)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) (117)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(65)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(32)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(77)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(11)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(63)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(51)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(63)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(42)(captain)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(39)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(130)
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht)(41)
19. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(21)
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(106)
21. Caolin Blade (Galwegians/Connacht)(2)
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(5)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(17)

Springbok team to face Ireland in Durban:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 94 caps, 75 pts (15t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 32 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 70 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 80 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 16 caps, 70 points (14t)
10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 70 caps, 708 points (7t, 98c, 154p, 5dg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 57 caps, 50 points (5t, 5c, 5pg)
8 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 42 caps, 35 pts (7t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 79 caps, 40 points (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 84 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 75 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 121 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 71 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 70 caps, 70 points (14t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 29 caps, 0 pts

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 66 caps, 85 points (17t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 51 caps, 0 points
19 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 0 points
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 35 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 19 caps, 0 pts
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 10 points (2t)
23 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 2 caps, 7 points (2c, 1p)