South Africa are preparing to risk Munster's big money signing Jean De Villiers against Ireland as the weary world champions' injury list mounts ahead of the unofficial world championship clash.

De Villiers was last night given permission by Munster to replace Adi Jacobs, despite previous assertions from coach Tony McGahan that the marquee signing would be remaining with the province during November.

Fourie du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Zane Kirchner and Schalk Burger all face late fitness tests ahead of today's delayed team announcement by coach Peter De Villiers.

Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll will square off with rival Du Preez, who is expected to play, just hours before the IRB Player of the Year is unveiled, but the South African would gladly exchange the personal award for victory in Croke Park.

“He had a good season, but personally it was my best season I've ever had,” declared the world's best scrum-half.

“However, If I was told that Brian O'Driscoll would win the player of the year award but South Africa would win the test match, it would be absolutely brilliant.”

Munster second row Mick O'Driscoll will captain Ireland 'A' against Argentina Jaguars at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

Ian Humphreys is retained at fly-half and will be partnered at half-back by Ulster team mate Isaac Boss.

Ireland A team: F Jones (Munster); I Dowling (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster), K Matthews (Connacht) J Murphy (Leicester); I Humphreys (Ulster), I Boss (Ulster); B Wilkinson (Connacht), J Fogarty (Leinster), M Ross (Leinster), R Caldwell (Ulster), M O'Driscoll (Munster, captain), D Ryan (Munster), N Ronan (Munster), J Muldoon (Connacht).

Replacements: A Kyriacou (Ulster), B Young (Ulster), E O'Donoghue (Ulster), C Henry (Ulster), F Murphy (Connacht), I Keatley (Connacht), D Hurley (Munster).