SIX Ulstermen will make the trip to South Africa as Ireland prepare to take on the back-to-back world champion Springboks in a two-match test series.
Cormac Izuchukwu could make his first appearance for Andy Farrell’s side, having displayed impressive form for the province in the last few games of the season.
Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also make the plane to Johannesburg.
Ireland go into this series having won the last three meetings between the nations, including a 13-8 success during the pool stage at last year’s World Cup in France.
The major absentee from the northern province is Iain Henderson, who was ruled out last month after undergoing toe surgery.
Other major names missing out are arguably Ireland’s standout player in the Six Nations, Jamison Gibsin-Park, who misses out with a hamstring injury, and Jack Conan, who is ruled out for personal reasons.
