Aki to win 50th cap as Farrell opts for 5/3 split against Springboks

Bundee Aki wins his 50th Irish cap on Saturday when he lines up for the keenly-anticipated Rugby World Cup Pool B match between the Six Nations Grand Slam winners and defending champions South Africa.

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The 33-year-old New Zealand-born centre has been in outstanding form in Ireland's first two games, scoring four tries and being named man of the match in the 59-16 victory over Tonga last Saturday.

Irish talisman Johnny Sexton will captain a side that shows just one change from the one that started against Tonga, with Jamison Gibson-Park returning at scrumhalf.

Conor Murray, Sexton's long-time half-back partner, drops to the bench.

Alongside Murray on the bench will be Dan Sheehan, who has recovered from injury and replaces Rob Herring as the replacement hooker.

Farrell has not followed his opposite number Jacques Nienaber in naming a 7-1 bench in favour of the forwards to the backs.

The Ireland coach prefers a more balanced four forwards and three backs.

The Irish are on a run of 15 successive Test victories, which includes one against the Springboks last November.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Kwagga Smith, 23 Cobus Reinach

Ireland

15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9