South Africa have named a new-look XV for Saturday’s Autumn international against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
Despite being decimated by injuries leading up to the match, the world champions are still able to name a strong starting XV.
Deon Stegmann will make his Test debut, while uncapped Sharks utility back Patrick Lambie could also make his debut if Jean de Villiers fails a late fitness test.
The team shows eight changes from the side which ended the Tri-Nations against Australia in September.
Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Victor Matfield and Jannie du Plessis will all start.
Coach Peter de Villiers said: 'It's a new-look side but with 13 season-ending injuries it couldn't be anything else. But we're looking on the positive side and this is a great opportunity to test some new players in the toughest conditions.
'We also have a number of senior players returning to the team after long lay-offs for one reason or another and they are keen to re-stake their claim to a starting place. We've not had much time to bed this new team together but the players have worked hard all week to be as well prepared as we possibly can be.'
Reflecting on Stegmann's selection, the coach said: ‘Deon is an open-side in the traditional style and has been outstanding for his province.
‘He is used to playing with Pierre (Spies) and we need an out and out specialist to counter Ireland at the breakdown.’
But the big talking point is certainly at centre.
If former Munster midfielder de Villiers does fail his fitness test, it means full-back Zane Kirchner, who only has 10 caps to his name, could play alongside Lambie in one of the most untried pairing in recent Springbok memory.
The coach, however, has confidence in his selections. He added: ‘Our hand has been forced in our centre selection.
‘Hopefully Jean will recover in time but if not, Patrick Lambie has played at inside centre for the Sharks before he was moved to 10 and Zane is defensively strong and a strong ball runner.’
Regular skipper John Smit, Andries Bekker, Fourie du Preez, Butch James, Heinrich Brussow, Gurthro Steekamp and BJ Botha were all ruled out some time ago, while the last two weeks have accounted for Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, JP Pietersen, Ricky Januarie, Juan de Jongh and Schalk Burger.
Matfield will captain the side in the absence of Smit.
South Africa XV to play Ireland in the Autumn international at the Aviva Stadium on Saturdayat 5.30pm:
(15-1) Gio Aplon; Bjorn Basson, Zane Kirchner, Jean de Villiers/Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Deon Stegmann; Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Willem Alberts/Keegan Daniel, Francois Hougaard, Adi Jacobs, Patrick Lambie/Lwazi Mvovo
