Ireland captain Rory Best says he is excited to see what the next generation of players can deliver against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.
Ireland have been forced to field a new-look team for the first Test of this three-match series, with Best’s Ulster team-mates Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall selected and Jared Payne reassigned to full-back.
They are missing a host of frontline stars including Johnny Sexton.
“It’s massive for these guys, a lot of these have been in and around the squad a little bit and they wanted a chance but when certain key players are established in the squad, and playing so well, it doesn’t allow them the opportunity,” he said.
“It’s very exciting to see what this young talent can deliver.”
Best’s opposite number Adriaan Strauss leads his country for the first time under new coach Allister Coetzee.
He said: “It’s the start of a new journey, so we definitely want to set down a marker and standard for ourselves. Of course the result will always be important, but it’s more about the way we want to play.”
