South Africa-born Richardt Strauss is set to make his Ireland debut against the Springboks in Dublin on Saturday after being given a place in coach Declan Kidney’s injury-hit starting XV.

It means the same family will be providing both hookers for this weekend’s match at Lansdowne Road, with the 26-year-old Strauss’s cousin, Adriaan Strauss, starting in the Springboks’ No 2 shirt.

The cousins grew up together and both attended Grey College in Bloemfontein where Richardt played as a flanker and Adriaan at hooker.

Leinster No. 8 Jamie Heaslip will captain Ireland for the first time in the injury-enforced absence of centre Brian O’Driscoll, lock Paul O’Connell and Rory Best, all of whom have previously skippered the side.

Richardt Strauss, who plays his club rugby for European champions Leinster, qualified for Ireland after completing a three-year residency period.

He arrived in Ireland as a 23-year-old, having been a member of the South Africa team that won the Under-19 World Cup in 2005.

An injury to Rory Best has now given Pretoria-born former Cheetahs forward Strauss, never capped at full Test level by the Springboks, his chance to make an international debut for his adopted country.

Strauss’s selection is sure to re-open the controversial issue of Test eligibility but Kidney said he had no qualms about picking a player qualified under International Rugby Board (IRB) regulations.

“It’s always hard leaving home but he’s come over and has thrown himself fully into Leinster,” Kidney said.

“Nobody would have made it easy for him to come through but he’s fought through everything and had a brilliant year.

“He’s here on merit and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Meanwhile Heaslip said he felt “pretty humbled” to be made captain.

“I’m proud to lead this group,” he said. “Once we get onto the pitch everyone will be on automatic pilot because we have such great leaders within the team.”

Fullback Rob Kearney and back-row Stephen Ferris are among the other players on Ireland’s lengthy injury list.

Kidney’s team shows eight changes in all from the side thrashed 60-0 last time out by world champions New Zealand in Hamilton in June.

Ireland: Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Gordon D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip (capt), Chris Henry, Peter O’Mahony, Mike McCarthy, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy

Replacements: Sean Cronin, David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent, Donncha O’Callaghan, Iain Henderson, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Fergus McFadden