Ireland to face Springboks in new Aviva Stadium

The first international opposition to face Ireland in the Aviva Stadium will be current world champions South Africa, the IRFU announced today.

The is scheduled to take place upon completion of the new facility - on the site of the former Lansdowne Road stadium - on November 6, 2010.

The Aviva Stadium is due to be handed over to the Irish Rugby Football Union and Football Association of Ireland upon completion in April next year.

Ireland are already scheduled to play Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina in the Guinness Series during November next year as part of the international calendar.

The South Africa international on November 6 has now been added to that schedule to open the international season.

"This is the first time that we have played a fourth international test match in November and the new Aviva stadium will be a fitting venue for the game to take place in," IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said.

"The Aviva stadium promises to become an iconic landmark for Irish sport and we are delighted that world champions South Africa have agreed to be the opposition for the game."

The significance of the game will also see a relaxation of the age-old international rugby tradition where the home team changes its jersey if there is a colour clash.

For the game in the Aviva Stadium, the South African Rugby Union has agreed to wear an alternative strip to allow the Ireland team to wear its own traditional green jersey.