Four Ireland changes as Arendse ruled out for Boks

Quilter Nations Series: Ireland v South Africa

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made four changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's eagerly anticipated Test against world champions South Africa.

Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier are recalled after missing the wins over Australia and Japan because of hamstring problems.

Van der Flier's return to open-side flanker means captain Caelan Doris switches to number eight and Jack Conan drops to the bench.

Ringrose will be partnered in midfield by Bundee Aki, who will make his first Ireland start since the Six Nations defeat by France in March.

Stuart McCloskey, who started last week's thumping win over Australia, was ruled out earlier this week with a recurrence of the groin injury he picked up in the defeat by the All Blacks.

Robbie Henshaw, who impressed at outside centre against Australia, is not named in the matchday squad with Tom Farrell - who made his debut against Japan earlier this month - named as centre cover on the bench.

Andrew Porter returns at loose-head prop with Paddy McCarthy having been preferred against Australia.

Sam Prendergast is retained at fly-half after impressing against Australia, while Mack Hansen keeps the full-back spot after scoring a first-half hat-trick of tries in the 46-19 defeat of the Wallabies.

"South Africa are the world champions and we know the challenge that awaits us this weekend," said Farrell.

"Whenever you face a top side you know that you have to be on top of your game and that you will be tested and we'll look to build on the momentum from last weekend and approach the game positively.

"The players were galvanised by the support [against Australia] and it makes such a positive point of difference when you're at home. There's familiarity and respect between both teams and I know how excited the squad is to represent Ireland to the best of our ability for our last home game of 2025."

Having rotated his team for last week's win over Italy, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled several key players, including fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, centre Damian de Allende and second row Eben Etzebeth.

Erasmus' line-up shows two changes from the impressive 32-17 win over France in Paris a fortnight ago, with Ruan Nortje and Canan Moodie replacing Lood de Jager and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

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

Franco Mostert was not considered for selection because of his disciplinary hearing this week. On Wednesday, the second row's red card against Italy was overturned, but South Africa say they did not want the outcome of his hearing to impact the team's preparations.

RG Snyman, who plays alongside the bulk of the Ireland team at Leinster, will earn his 50th Springboks Test cap off the bench.

"The majority of this team were rested last week to ensure that they recover from the physically taxing match against France, and it was always our plan to name an experienced outfit against Ireland," said Erasmus.

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

"This group of players have never won a match in Ireland before, so we know how tough it's going to be to win here, and that will certainly motivate us," added Erasmus.

"It will take a colossal effort, but we are excited about the challenge, and we know that we have to be razor sharp in all departments to get the desired result."

Ireland: M Hansen; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong, J Ryan, T Beirne, R Baird, J van der Flier, C Doris (capt).

Replacements: R Kelleher, P McCarthy, F Bealham, C Prendergast, J Conan, C Casey, J Crowley, T Farrell.

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

Replacements: Grobbelaar, Steenekamp, Louw, Snyman, Smith, Esterhuizen, Williams, Libbok.