South Africa centre Jean de Villiers will start tomorrow’s clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium after passing a fitness test this morning.
The former Munster player was a doubt because of a groin injury but has been given the all-clear to partner Zane Kirchner in the Springboks midfield.
“We have been hard hit by injuries to our centres so to have Jean available is a major boost,” said South African coach Peter de Villiers.
“He’s an experienced international and is in charge of the backs on tour so it’s great to see him back on the field.
“We made a contingency plan and trained with that in mind all week, but with Jean’s knowledge of Ireland’s players having played for Munster, it was important to have him available for this match.”
The uncapped Patrick Lambie had been on standby in case De Villiers failed to make it and will now take his place on the bench with Sharks team-mate Lwazi Mvovo dropping out of the 22
Uncapped backrow Willem Alberts has failed to recover from his calf strain and is replaced on the bench by Sharks team-mate Keegan Daniel, who is also uncapped.
South Africa:G Aplon; B Basson, Z Kirchner, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Steyn, R Pienaar; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, B Botha, V Matfield (capt), D Stegmann, J Smith, P Spies.
Replacements:C Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, F van der Merwe, K Daniel, F Hougaard, A Jacobs, P Lambie.