Superstar Kolbe returns for Springboks against Ireland... in No 15 jersey

Cheslin Kolbe has been picked to start at fullback for their Springboks in their tour opener against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 19:30 (SA time).

News24 Sport reported earlier on Thursday that Kolbe was expected to be handed the No 15 jumper after training in the position in the week.

It will be Kolbe's first Test at fullback as he makes a return since breaking his jaw against Wales in July.

Kolbe forms an exciting back three with wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi, while Jesse Kriel will pair up with Damian de Allende in midfield.

Damian Willemse will start at flyhalf and Jaden Hendrikse retains the No 9 jersey ahead of Faf de Klerk.

Up front, coach Jacques Nienaber opted for Jasper Wiese at No 8 in a loose trio with Pieter Steph-du Toit and skipper Siya Kolisi.

The front row features props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe and hooker Malcolm Marx, with Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager in the second row,

The Bok bench features a six-two forwards-backs split.

 Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Ox Nche and Vincent Koch (both props) will be joined by utility forwards Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith and Deon Fourie as the forward replacements, while Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf) and Willie le Roux (fullback) are the two backline reserves.

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux

"We selected a team we believe contains the best