The Irish are the team to beat after their recent series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, while the Springboks will want to reaffirm their status as the World Champions.

While Ireland named a strong squad for their Autumn Series, there are some injury concerns in the camp.

The Irish coach, Andy Farrell, said the Springboks would be a different challenge.

"They have a unique way of playing and they are all on the same page - that is their strength, isn’t it?" said Farrell.

"South Africa knows their points of difference and they go after them hard. They’ve been very successful at being able to do that. Obviously, being aware of what South Africa is about is absolutely key because we need to know what they’re trying to achieve.

Farrell added that if they had to compare the World Champions to a team they have faced recently, it would be the French team that beat them 30-24 at Stade de France back in February.

"But, at the same time, how we progress in our game is just as, if not more, important. If you want to compare it to what we’ve faced over the shortest period of time, it's probably the French away game.

"The big set who go after you properly in defence and set pieces. Obviously, the main part of their game is to play a good territory-type strangling game, a pressure-type game.

"So, obviously, that didn’t work out too well for us in the end, and we need to show progression from that."

Ireland and the Springboks will lock horns on 5 November at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland squad:

Backs - Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Craig Casey (Munster), Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), Michael Lowry (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Calvin Nash (Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Johnny Sexton (captain, Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).

Forwards - Ryan Baird (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster), Caelan Doris (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Dave Heffernan (Connacht), Cian Healy (Leinster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Andrew Porter (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).

Ireland 'A' panel - Tom Ahern (Munster), Diarmuid Barron (Munster), Caolin Blade (Connacht), Jack Crowley (Munster), Shane Daly (Munster), Max Deegan (Leinster), James Hume (Ulster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Marty Moore (Ulster), Jamie Osbourne (Leinster), Scott Penny (Leinster), Roman Salanoa (Munster).

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport