South Africa locked and loaded for first Test v Ireland

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has laid his cards on the table ahead of Saturday's game against Ireland, naming a strong and settled starting team for the first Test in Pretoria.

The side shows four changes from the XV that started against Ireland at the World Cup last year, with Damian Willemse, Steven Kitshoff and Jasper Wiese among those injured and suspended. Twenty of the matchday squad played some part of the World Cup final win against New Zealand.

Handre Pollard starts at out-half in place of Manie Libbok, who misses out altogether, pairing up with Faf de Klerk in the half-backs.

The centre pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, which excelled in the World Cup, remains in place, with exciting Stormers utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu included on the bench as a utility back for his second cap.

Cheslin Kolbe is included in the starting team after recovering from a knee-injury, and the wing joins Bulls pair Kurt-Lee Arsnde and Willie le Roux in the back three.

In the pack, Ox Nche starts in place if the injured Kitshoff, while Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe complete the front row.

Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert are paired at lock, with Leinster-bound RG Snyman and Stormers' Salmaan Moerat the two locks included on the 6:2 bench.

Siya Kolisi, who was retained as Boks captain last week, takes his usual place at blindside flanker with Pieter-Steph du Toit at openside flanker, and Kwagga Smith starting at eight following the retirement of Duane Vermeulen and suspension to Wiese.

"This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest ranked team in the world," said Erasmus.

"We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate