South Africa v Ireland: All you need to know

Ireland’s Tour of South Africa – Second Test

Saturday, 13 July

South Africa v Ireland, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, 4pm

RADIO

Listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

ONLINE

Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app

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Visitors with their Boks to the wall?

Ireland head into the second instalment of their South African tour looking for some semblance of revenge after falling short in a ferocious opening encounter in Pretoria last Saturday.

James Lowe’s disallowed try three-quarters of the way through the game proved the pivotal moment of the first Test. Lowe, unfortunately for him, had a final 20 minutes to forget in the opener as the Springboks held off the Irish on a scoreline of 27-20. Andy Farrell’s side will be hoping the second chapter brings a bit more luck than the first day did.

After going through his full stand-up comedian routine in the run-up to the first Test, South African boss Rassie Erasmus was all business this week. He was quick to remind people that his side are still playing catch-up in the recent history between these two nations.

“If we do manage to make it 2-0, it wouldn’t be just satisfaction for me, it would be nice for South Africa, for the team and for our morale,” Erasmus declared.

“They had our number in the last four Test matches, they’re 3-1 up. It would be nice, but not for me especially, for South Africa.”

While being beaten by the current world champions in their own back yard is hardly cause for alarm, Farrell will be keen to split the series – and prove to the South Africans that the travelling party are more than able for the battle.

TEAM NEWS

With Bundee Aki ruled out through injury, Garry Ringrose comes in as one of four changes from the first day.

Peter O’Mahony will begin the game on the bench which means Caelan Doris wears the captain’s armband. James Ryan starts in the second row with Tadhgh Beirne at blindside flanker.

It will be Doris’s second time captaining his country, he did so against Italy during February’s Six Nations, and the Leinster man declared himself happy as can be with this latest chance to lead the side out.

“I’m delighted to be in the role,” he said after his captain’s run. “I think the first time, the Italy week, there was more nerves and pressure and more self-doubt.

“This week I’m feeling more of the privilege and the honour, and it’s been helped massively by Pete who is the tour captain.

“We’ve had good chats along the way, and the leadership group have stepped in massively and taken weight off me at times.

Rónan Kelleher comes in at hooker and Conor Murray will start at scrum-half. Cruciate injury victim Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey are both ruled out.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Calvin Nash, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Caolin Blade, Ciarán Frawley, Stuart McCloskey

Listen to live commentary of South Africa v Ireland (4pm) on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1, and follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.