Ireland prepare for Springbok challenge

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A South African side that are full of confidence are in Dublin today for Ireland's opening game of the November International Series.

The Springboks are starting their Northern Hemisphere Tour after finishing the Rugby Championship last month wins over Australia and New Zealand and they'll be looking to add the scalp of the Six Nations champions to their list of victims.

New Zealand-born Jared Payne will win his first Test cap for Ireland after being named at outside centre as part of a new-look midfield pairing with Connacht's Robbie Henshaw.

Questions have been raised over the centre pairing's experience, but Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says today's opponents prove an injection of youth can work wonders.

Kick-off at Lansdowne Road is at half-past five.

 

The other big game today in the November Internationals is at Twickenham where England will be going-up against the All Blacks.

That game kicks-off at half-past two, which is the same start time as Wales versus Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

There's a 4:45 start between France and Fiji, while the meeting of Scotland and Argentina will get underway at the same time as the Ireland match.