South Africa v Ireland: first rugby union Test – live

There’s no Johnny Sexton at fly-half. He’s retired. There’s no Jamison Gibson-park at scrum-half. He’s injured. There’s no Hugo Keenan at full-back. He’s with the Ireland sevens team.

That’s a lot of missing nous. And for a team that relies on cohesion and intricate patterns, it could be the difference today.

Not that Ireland are fielding mugs in those key positions. Jack Crowley and Craig – at 10 and 9 respectively - have performed to a high level for their for their clubs. But this is a big step up and will no doubt be targets for South Africa’s loose forwards.

Then there’s Jamie Osborne at full-back, making his debut against the world champions. Good luck fella.

Otherwise it’s a formidable outfit with a mighty centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw, as well as a settled pack, that will cause havoc all afternoon.

Ireland: Osborne; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Crowley, Casey; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Beirne, O’Mahony (c), van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Bealham, Ryan, Baird, Murray, Frawley, Ringrose.

The world champions are picking up right where they left off in France last year.

All 15 of their starting players were involved in the final against New Zealand in Paris with familiar faces on the bench.

This is not a side in transition but one taking aim at a scalp they desperately want.

Siya Kolisi has come under criticism for his domestic form but is a different animal when wearing green.

Keep an eye out for young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu off the bench who can cover any position from 10 to 15.

South Africa: le Roux; Kolbe, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse; Pollard, de Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (c), du Toit, Smith.

Replacements: Marx, Steenkamp, Koch, Moerat, Snyman, van Staden, Williams, Feuinberg-Mngomezulu.

If you need me to hype this one up, you haven’t been paying attention.

But just in case, let’s set the table.

It’s the back-to-back world champions against the back-to-back Six Nations winners. It’s the top two ranked teams on the planet backed by supporters who believe that their boys are the undisputed leaders in rugby. It’s Rassie Erasmus versus Andy Farrell. It’s Eben Etzebeth versus Tadgh Beirne. It’s Pieter-Steph du Toit up against Josh van der Flier. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw against Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende. South African muscle and sense of mission against the craft and purpose of Ireland.

They’re calling this a friendly but I assure you it’ll be ferocious!

Ireland beat South Africa at the World Cup last year. In fact, they’ve beaten the Boks in their last three games and haven’t lost to them since 2016.

What’s more, the discourse in the build up has teetered on the brink of nasty with players, past and present, amplifying the animosity that has organically developed.

It’s all a bit of fun, of course, and is a consequence of the respect both outfits command. At the risk of veering into hyperbole, this is Test rugby at its best and Loftus Versfeld, a hostile arena at the best of times, is going to be frothing by the time the opening whistle sounds.

I cannot wait!

My name is Daniel/Dan. Do get in touch with an email.

Kick off at 5pm in South Africa/4pm BST.

Teams and updates to come.