Sport

Ireland vs South Africa Autumn Nations Series preview

THE IRISH RUGBY team return to competitve action for the first time since their historic win over New Zealand in the summer.

Andy Farrell's side face a different test in South Africa this weekend, when the opening game of the Autumn Nations Series gets underway.

Ireland will face the 3-time world champions South Africa, Fiji, and Australia this month in the latest batch of internationals before the players return to their respective clubs.

Here are some details for the game this Saturday.

Johnny Sexton (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

WHEN IS IT ON ?

It's a Saturday 5.30pm kick-off.

WHERE IS IT ON ?

Aviva Stadium

WHERE CAN I WATCH THE MATCH?

The game will be shown live on Virgin Media Two with coverage starting at 4.30pm. It will also be streamed on the Virgin Media Player.

IRELAND'S RECORD AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA

Ireland last beat South Africa 38-3 in 2017. The Boys in Green have played South Africa 26 times in their history, beating the Bok's seven times to their 18

ARE THERE STILL TICKETS AROUND?

TEAM NEWS FOR BOTH SIDES

SOUTH AFRICA TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND (5.30PM)

Fullback: 15. Cheslin Kolbe

Winger: 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse

Centres: 13. Jesse Kriel 12. Damian De Allende

Winger: 11. Makazole Mapimpi

Out half: 10.Damian Willemse Scrumhalf: 9. Jaden Hendrikse

Front row: 1. Frans Malherbe; 2. Steven Kitshoff, 3. Malcolm Marx

Second row: 4, Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lood de Jager

Backrow: 6. Siya Kolisi (capt), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux.

The man with the dancing feet is back - in a new position - when the #Springboks face @IrishRugby in Dublin on Saturday - team announcement: https://t.co/oPabqKxI1r 🕺#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever #IREVRSA pic.twitter.com/xso1ZtTJc1

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 1, 2022

IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA

Fullback: 15. Hugo Keenan

Winger: 14. Robert Baloucoune

Centers: 13. Gary Ringrose 12. Stuart McCloskey.

Winger: 11. Mack Hansen

Out half: 10. Johnny Sexton Scrumhalf: 9. Conor Murray

Front row: 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong

Second row: 5. Tadhg Beirne 6. James Ryan

Backrow: 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris

Replacements: 16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Kieran Treadwell, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Jamison Gibson Park, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Jimmy O'Brien

WHAT HAVE THE COACHES SAID

Jacques Nienaber: "We last faced them on their home patch in 2017 and they beat us 38-3 in that match, and they also beat us here 29-15 in 2014 and they will draw confidence from that.

"Similarly, to us they will also view this as a vital clash with an eye on next year’s Rugby World Cup in France where we will cross paths in the pool stages.

"Obviously we are a long way out from the World Cup, but we have a limited number of matches left before the competition and the preparation doesn’t get better than playing a side, we will face in the World Cup and the No 1 side in the world."

Andy Farrell: "It doesn't get any bigger and this is called living properly. There's no better time to be an Irish rugby player," Farrell said.

"It doesn't get any better and when the Springboks are in town, everyone gets super excited and we know what's coming.