Combrinck was named as the man of the match last week in Johannesburg during the second Test after coming off the bench to make his debut.

His Super Rugby team-mate and captain, Warren Whiteley, also earn his first start for South Africa, albeit his 6th Test.

Another Lion, Jaco Kriel, will make his long-awaited debut when he comes off the bench.

The exciting loose forward says he is excited to get his crack at playing rugby at the highest level and feels that he has to deliver.

“Waiting is always worthwhile if it lasts and it comes off for you. At the Lions, we always speaking about being patient just doing your job.

“We’re at the Boks now and being patient has gone to a whole different level with all the media being around and all the people waiting for you to play.

“It’s been an interesting journey for me, but I’ve really enjoyed it a lot and if I get my chance this weekend, I have to deliver.”

There is also a debut on the cards for the Bordeaux prop, Steven Kitshoff, while hooker Bongi Mbonambi is on the bench for a third straight week and he is yet to make his debut.

Tomorrow afternoon’s Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

Springboks - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements – 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.

Ireland - 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart Olding, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (captain) 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements - 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Matt Healy.

Morgan Piek/OFM News