Ireland team to play Springboks: 2025 Autumn Internationals

Captain Caelan Doris leads the men in green from No. 8 as Ireland gear up for their final home Test of 2025.

Mack Hansen once again gets the nod at full-back, flanked by Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe on the wings. In midfield, there’s a fresh look as Bundee Aki reunites with the returning Garry Ringrose, while Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park continue to steer the ship in the half-backs.

Up front, Ireland roll out a powerful trio of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne locking things down in the second row. The back row of Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, and captain Doris completes a stacked starting XV.

Farrell has plenty of firepower in reserve too: Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, and Jack Conan cover the forwards, while Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, and Tom Farrell are primed to make an impact in the backline.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Farrell said:
“South Africa are the world champions, and we know exactly how big the challenge is. Facing a top side means being at your absolute best. We want to build on last weekend’s momentum and attack this game with real positivity. The support lifted us, and it means everything at home. There’s huge respect between the teams, and the lads are buzzing to represent Ireland one last time in Dublin this year.”

The match will be shown live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio 1, and TNT Sports.

15. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht) (29)
14. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster) (5)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) (68)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) (67)
11. James Lowe (Leinster) (42)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) (12)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) (45)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) (78)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (34)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) (81)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (75)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) (64)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) (32)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) (74)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (54) – captain

16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) (42)
17. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster) (3)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht) (53)
19. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht) (7)
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) (54)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) (23)
22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster) (29)
23. Tom Farrell (Lansdowne/Munster) (1)