Rory Keane reports from Johannesburg

JOE SCHMIDT HAS handed South Africa native Quinn Roux his Test debut among five changes to his starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s rematch with the Springboks at Ellis Park Stadium [KO 4pm Irish time, Sky Sports 1].

Roux will start against his native land. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Craig Gilroy, Stuart Olding, Tadhg Furlong, Roux and Rhys Ruddock have all been included in Ireland’s starting XV ahead of the crunch rematch with Springboks in Johannesburg.

Connacht fullback Tiernan O’Halloran and Ulster back row Sean Reidy could make their Ireland debuts off the bench.

A gruelling season that began with a pre-World Cup training camp back in July of the last year, the physical toll of defending with 14 men for almost an hour last weekend, and playing at altitude has influenced Schmidt’s thinking with regards to freshening up his side.

Gilroy replaces Keith Earls and will form an all-Ulster back three alongside Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble while Olding comes in for his provincial team-mate Luke Marshall at inside centre.

Olding, who last started for Ireland against Georgia back in November 2014, will link up with Robbie Henshaw in a new-look Irish midfield. Paddy Jackson and Conor Murray continue at half-back after their outstanding displays at Newlands.

Mike Ross, who has been virtually ever-present during Schmidt’s time in charge, drops out for his Leinster team-mate Tadgh Furlong, who makes his first Test start having won all of his six previous caps from the bench.

Most surprising of all the changes is Roux’s promotion to the starting line-up alongside Devin Toner, having been on the periphery of Connacht’s starting side this season.

Furlong replaces Mike Ross at tighthead. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

In starting, Roux will play against his native country. The 25-year-old initially moved to Ireland to join Schmidt at Leinster in 2012, before making a switch to Connacht in 2014, first on loan before signing permanently.

With CJ Stander unavailable due to his one-match ban, Iain Henderson moves from the second row to the blindside, with Ruddock coming in for Jordi Murphy at openside flanker.

Ruddock last started in the number seven shirt for Ireland as a late call-up for Chris Henry on the morning of Ireland’s 29-15 victory against the Boks in November 2014 at the Aviva Stadium. Jamie Heaslip remains at number eight.

Earls, Ross, Marshall, Murphy, Ultan Dillane, Sean Cronin, and the suspended Stander are all absent from the matchday 23, with Richardt Strauss, Dave Kilcoyne, Donnacha Ryan, Reidy and O’Halloran all coming onto the bench

Ireland (v South Africa):

15. Jared Payne

14. Andrew Trimble

13. Robbie Henshaw

12. Stuart Olding

11. Craig Gilroy

10. Paddy Jackson

9. Conor Murray

1. Jack McGrath

2. Rory Best (captain)

3 Tadhg Furlong

4. Devin Toner

5. Quinn Roux

6. Iain Henderson

7. Rhys Ruddock

8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:

16. Richardt Strauss

17. Dave Kilcoyne

18. Finlay Bealham

19. Donnacha Ryan

20. Sean Reidy

21. Kieran Marmion

22. Ian Madigan

23. Tiernan O’Halloran

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!