Lansdowne Road has been shaken to its core. A Troy Parrott brace, Cristiano Ronaldo red card, and a Mack Hansen hat-trick all in front of the south stand just 48 hours apart. It’s been a good week to be an Irish sporting fan.

Although the 2025 Wallabies are not the force they were a decade prior, last Saturday was a statement victory for Ireland. For the first time since the 2024 Six Nations, they were far superior against a top opponent, and it reflected in the scoreline. 

With the world champion Springboks rolling into town on Saturday, here’s the 23 we would select in a true litmus test of where this Irish team are at. 

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The High Impact Ireland Team That We Want To See Vs Africa
Front Row: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong

Credit where it’s due, this was a coming of age starting debut for Paddy McCarthy last weekend. However, it is hard to see a world where Andrew Porter doesn’t return from the off against South Africa. Even with his own scrummaging question marks, Porter is the most equipped to deal with the Boks front-row cavalry.

He is likely to pack down beside fellow Lions Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. Both of the Leinster men impressed at the weekend, with Furlong having to close out the game following Tom Clarkson’s HIA removal.

Lock: James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne

Ireland have had set-piece struggles across 2025, but last Saturday was not one of those nights. A perfect 10/10 at lineout time included four steals of Australian ball, just as the pressure started to mount on Paul O’Connell and Ireland’s forwards.

James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne combined for 23 tackles and 15 carries in one of their better starting showings in recent times. 

Back-Row: Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan

With Josh van der Flier expected to return to the fray this week, Andy Farrell has a real selection headache in the back-row. Ryan Baird’s most consistent run of showing in green coupled with Caelan Doris’ impressive run-out at openside makes this a 4-into-3 selection; five if you include the in form Nick Timoney. 

This writer leans towards maintaining the same trio again, with both van der Flier and Timoney ready to be sprung from the bench to add an abrasive edge opposite South Africa’s bomb squad. 

Half-Back: Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it; but you can make that argument for any of the big four of the Irish half-back options. Gibson-Park, Casey, Crowley, Prendergast. There is no wrong option. 

Despite one of his best performances in green last weekend, Sam Prendergast could lose out to Jack Crowley, who was also impressive in his shorter cameo. Crowley has already beaten South Africa twice, and knows the physical toll a game like this can take, and could be backed for that very reason.

Centre: Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose

Following another ill-timed injury frustration for Stuart McCloskey, Ireland could line out with a fourth centre combination in as many games. That could well be the experienced duo of Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. 

Should he shake off his injury woes, Garry Ringrose would be an expected returnee, while Robbie Henshaw’s performance on Saturday is surely enough to see him start a third test on the bounce. 

Back-Three: James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O’Brien.

Change elsewhere in the backline, but not here. Mack Hansen’s starring return to the fray last weekend books him into the full-back shirt, alongside Lowe and O’Brien. 

Hansen was at his very best at the weekend, and added an extra layer and dimension to Ireland’s attack. Lowe and O’Brien, despite quieter nights at the weekend, are set to go again either side of the Connacht man. 

Replacements:

Ronan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Tom Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki.

The bench practically picks itself from there, with Tom Clarkson in line to go again, should he come through the return to play protocols. Once again it is likely we see no specialist second-row on the bench, with Timoney and van der Flier in line to bring a proper edge in the final quarter.Â