Murray and Keenan to start for Ireland v South Africa

Conor Murray will win his 100th cap for Ireland in Saturday's Bank of Ireland Nations Series opener against South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, with the Munster scrum-half named in the starting team by head coach Andy Farrell.

Murray is preferred in the number nine jersey to regular first-choice Jamison Gibson-Park, with the Leinster man set for his first game of the season off the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Hugo Keenan is also set for his first game since Ireland's Test series win against New Zealand, but will start at full-back and is joined in the back three by wingers Mack Hansen and Robert Baloucoune.

Johnny Sexton captains the side from out-half, with he and Murray starting their first game together since the Six Nations win against England in March 2021. As expected, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw are paired in the centre.

There are no surprises in the forwards, with Farrell continuing with the same pack that started all three Test matches against New Zealand in the summer.

Dan Sheehan continues at hooker either side of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, while James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne renew their partnership in the second row.

Peter O'Mahony gets the nod over Jack Conan in the back row, where he's joined by Leinster's Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.

On the bench, Farrell has opted against a 6:2 split, with Ulster's Stuart McCloskey taking the 23 shirt.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Mack Hansen; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson Park,