Denis Leamy has been named in the replacements and his recovery (ankle injury) will be monitored and reviewed as the week goes on.

Tony Buckley holds on to his place in the replacements following last weekend's game and Donncha O'Callaghan returns to the second row partnership with Paul O'Connell. 

Saturday will also see the inclusion of Peter Stringer in the match 22 for the first time in the series. Stringer started for the Ireland A's against Tonga in Ravenhill.

Ireland (v South Africa, Saturday Croke Park): Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll capt, Paddy Wallace, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Tomas O'Leary, Cian Healy, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Leo Cullen, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Gordon D’Arcy.