The world champions pulled off a surprise by naming the fleet-foot Kolbe at fullback for the Test and this will bring the player into the game a lot more.

Kolbe himself makes a return in the green-and-gold jersey after breaking his jaw during the 3rd Test against Wales in July.

The Irish coach, Andy Farrell, said Kolbe will be a different threat at fullback.

“It’s great, I’m a big fan of getting the best players out on the field, and trying a few things along the way when the stability in certain other areas, where you can really give somebody like Kolbe a chance to be himself.

“He offers, obviously, a different threat. Our kick-chase has got to be pretty special. And him chiming into the line, not just on the flanks, but in the middle of the field and three-quarter edges, he is going to test us.

“We know that he is a world-class player.”

Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Test between Ireland and the Springboks at the Aviva Stadium kicks off at 19:30.

Ireland - 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter

Replacements - 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Stuart McCloskey.

Springboks - 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements - 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport