Sam Prendergast starts at 10 for final Autumn Series game vs South Africa

Captain Caelan Doris will lead the side from the back row as Andy Farrell’s side welcome the Springboks to the Aviva Stadium.

Mack Hansen continues at full-back, with Tommy O’Brien and James Lowe either side of him on the wings.

There is a new centre pairing as Bundee Aki partners the fit-again Garry Ringrose, while Sam Prendergast links up with his Leinster counterpart Jamison Gibson-Park, who starts at scrum-half.

Our team to face South Africa! 👊 pic.twitter.com/luN9dUZgBl

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 20, 2025

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are the starting front row, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, as Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and captain Doris complete the Ireland starting team in the back row.

Farrell has strong options on the bench with Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast and Jack Conan as the forward replacements, while Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Tom Farrell provide the backline reinforcements.

Speaking ahead of Saturday, Andy Farrell said: “South Africa are the world champions and we know the challenge that awaits us this weekend.

"Whenever you face a top side you know that you have to be on top of your game and that you will be tested and we’ll look to build on the momentum from last weekend and approach the game positively.

“The players were galvanised by the support (last weekend) and it makes such a positive point of difference when you’re at home. There’s familiarity and respect between both teams and I know how excited the squad is to represent Ireland to the best of our ability for our last home game of 2025.”

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)

Replacements:

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).