Niamh Gallagher and Aoibheann Reilly come in as Ireland make two changes for Springboks

Updated / Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 15:36

24 October 2026; Niamh Gallagher of Ireland warms up before the WXV Global Series match between South Africa and Ireland at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile

Niamh Gallagher earns her fifth cap at full-back

Niamh Gallagher and Aoibheann Reilly have both been handed starts for Ireland's final WXV Global Series game of the season.

The pair are the only changes made by head coach Scott Bemand for Saturday's rematch with South Africa in Cape Town.

Gallagher comes in at full-back with Reilly starting on the wing, as Stacey Flood and Emily Lane swap to the bench after last week's 40-27 win. Sophie Barrett comes into the matchday 23 also, in place of Ulster teammate Sadhbh McGrath.

It's an unchanged pack for Ireland, with Linda Djougang and Eilís Cahill packing down either side of hooker Neve Jones, with Dorothy Wall and Jane Clohessy in the second row.

Erin King captains the side once again at openside flanker, with Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan on the blindside, and Brittany Hogan packing down at number 8.

Reilly comes in at scrum-half for her 24th cap, while Dannah O'Brien starts for the 21st Test in a row at out-half.

Bemand pairs Aoife Dalton and Anna McGann in the centre for the third game in a row, with Robyn O'Connor and the in-form Beibhinn Parsons on the wings, while Gallagher earns her fifth cap at full-back.

Ireland: Niamh Gallagher; Beibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilís Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Dorothy Wall; Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan, Erin King (capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Niamh O'Dowd, Sophie Barrett, Grace Moore, Jemima Adams Verling, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood

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Source: RTÉ News · Neil Treacy

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