MY ACCOUNT
The fit-again Cheslin Kolbe will play his first Test at full-back when South Africa face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Kolbe has not featured for the Springboks since July due to a broken jaw, but the versatile back will don the number 15 shirt against the top-ranked side in the world.
Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi will start on the wings in an exciting back three for the world champions’ opening Test of their tour in Dublin
Damian Willemse gets the nod at fly-half, with Jaden Hendrikse at scrum-half ahead of Faf de Klerk and Jasper Wiese selected as number eight in a loose trio with Pieter Steph-du Toit and Siya Kolisi
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber said: “We selected a team we believe contains the best combinations to counter the threats posed by Ireland.
“Damian has done well for us at fly-half, and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role, while we think Cheslin has the potential to add a new dimension to our game at full-back.
“He was sidelined for a while after breaking his jaw against Wales, but he has played four 80-minute matches for Toulon since returning to play, and we are confident that he will step up to the challenge.”
South Africa team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux.
