Tadhg Beirne feels Ireland have fuel in the tank to beat Boks

Tadhg Beirne insists tiredness won't be an issue for Ireland in tomorrow's first Test against South Africa in Pretoria, despite the season now running into a 13th month.

Last year's World Cup has put real strain on the rugby calendar, and it's now more than a year since Andy Farrell's side met up to begin their preparations for the tournament.

During that time, no member of this Ireland squad has played more rugby than Beirne this season, with the 32-year-old set for his 30th game of the campaign, logging more than 2100 minutes for both province and country.

"I'm definitely feeling good," the Munster captain said.

And while Beirne (below) admits it's been a grueling season, he's primed and ready to have a go at the world champions.

"I think at moments during the season I definitely felt it, I've had a few weekends off after the semi-final. So, you come into a new environment and it freshens you up for sure.

"We're well looked after here whether it's food or we've masseuses, it's a bit easier to look after your body than when you're back with the club - not that you don't have those things as well, it's just it's right in front of your face here for sure.

"From the moment we came in, the focus was straight on to South Africa and tactics, that kind of stuff.

"We've gone back to getting into the flow of how we do things as well, coming from different provinces, that was huge to get that team bonding and everything back together."

While South Africa's team shows just four changes from the XV that Ireland would have faced nine months ago at the World Cup, there's an expectation that the Springboks could have a few curveballs to throw this weekend due to the coaching changes alongside Rassie Erasmus, with former Japan coach Tony Brown