Ireland team v South Africa: Sam Prendergast to start against the Springboks at the Aviva
Ireland Rugby Squad Training, IRFU High Performance Centre, Sam Prendergast (Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)Sam Prendergast will start for Ireland against South Africa on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (5.40pm).A huge vote of confidence in the 22 year-old from Andy Farrell and it brings the expectation he will start the vast majority of the test games between now and the World Cup.It's a selection that will be a big set-back for Munster no10 Jack Crowley as Farrell has already suggested he will be looking for some game time for returned to Leinster out-half Harry Byrne through the next yearElsewhere Caelan Doris is moved back to no8 with Josh van der Flier restored to no7 while Ireland have decided on a traditional five-three split bench where, interestingly, the three backs are from Munster. There are no Ulster players in the 23.Mack Hansen on the back of last week's Man of the Match hat-trick performance continues at full-back, with Tommy O'Brien and James Lowe either side of him on the wings.There is a new centre pairing for Ireland this week as Bundee Aki partners the fit-again Garry Ringrose, with Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park continuing in the half-backs.In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are the starting front row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, as Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and captain Doris complete the Ireland starting team in the back row.Farrell has strong options on the bench with Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast and Jack Conan the forward replacements, while Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Tom Farrell provide the backline reinforcements."South Africa are the world champions and we know the challenge that awaits us this weekend," said Andy 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 (last weekend) 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."Ireland (v South Africa):15. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(29)14. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(5)13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(68)12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(67)11. James Lowe (Leinster)(42)10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(12) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(45) 1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(78) 2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(34) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(81) 4: James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(75) 5: Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(64) 6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(32) 7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(74) 8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(54)( captain )Replacements:16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(42)17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(3)18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(53)19. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(7)20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(54)21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(23)22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(29)23. Tom Farrell (Lansdowne/Munster)(1)Saturday’s match is live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio 1 and TNT Sports.Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
