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Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier return as Ireland make four personnel changes for South Africa clash

Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier have recovered from their hamstring issues
Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier have recovered from their hamstring issues

Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier have been passed fit to start Ireland's autumn finale against back-to-back world champions South Africa.

The pair sat out their country’s victories over Japan and Australia due to hamstring issues suffered in training following defeat to New Zealand at the start of the month.

Centre Ringrose will partner the recalled Bundee Aki on Saturday evening in Dublin as part of four personnel changes from last weekend’s record 46-19 win over the Wallabies.

Van der Flier’s return at openside flanker means captain Caelan Doris switches to number 8 and Jack Conan moves to the bench.

Loosehead prop Andrew Porter has been restored in place of Paddy McCarthy in the other alteration.

Robbie Henshaw, who claimed Ireland’s sixth and final try against Joe Schmidt’s side, drops out of the matchday squad, with Munster’s Tom Farrell providing back up for Ringrose and Aki.

Fellow centre Stuart McCloskey was ruled out earlier this week after limping off against Australia following the recurrence of a groin injury.

Fly-half Sam Prendergast retains the number 10 jersey ahead of Jack Crowley to continue his half-back partnership with Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park.

Mack Hansen continues at full-back following his first-half hat-trick against his native Australia.

Locks Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan start together for the fourth successive weekend, while Porter joins hooker Dan Sheehan and tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong in the front row and Ryan Baird is retained at blindside flanker.

Tommy O’Brien will make his sixth successive Test start on the right wing, with James Lowe again on the left.

Prop McCarthy, back-rower Conan, fly-half Crowley and centre Farrell are joined on the bench by Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast and Craig Casey.

Ireland: Mack Hansen; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell.

South Africa team: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Boan Venter, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit; Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.

Watch Ireland v South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

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