Ulster captain Paddy Wallace was wearing a broad smile yesterday afternoon following the naming of the Irish side to face the Sprinboks on Saturday.

His restoration to midfield, where once again he partners captain Brian O’Driscoll who will be winning his 96th Irish cap, saw the normally reserved Wallace admit to his excitement and delight at being chosen to play against the side he regards as the best in the world.

“I think they’ve proved that, haven’t they? World Cup holders, Tri-Nations winners, the side that beat the Lions last summer? Yes, I think they’re the top side in the world at the moment. Nobody has a better record than that.

“I’ve never played against them so this is going to be a new experience for me. I’m delighted to have been given the nod. And excited.

“These are the things you want in your career. You want to play against the best and test yourself in matches like this,” he said.

“The chance to play at home against the world champions isn’t one that comes along very often. South Africa have such a proud rugby history and pedigree that you know it’s going to be something very special to play against them.”

Wallace’s inclusion alongside out-half prodigy Jonathan Sexton is a prospect which delights him, too. The Leinster fly-half loves to run with the ball, make breaks and create space for those around him.

With the quality of Sexton and O’Driscoll inside and outside it’s a situation tailor-made for an attack-minded player like Wallace.

“I suppose I’ll try to keep Jonny in check,” joked Wallace, his demeanour suggesting that he will be more than happy to play alongside a player intent on testing the South Africans’ defence and confident in his ability.

“Conditions will be a big factor in the sort of match it is, but hopefully the weather will be dry. If it is, I think you will see both teams trying to play an expansive game,” Wallace forecast.

“I know that would be our preference. We are trying to develop our game from last year and to play with a bit more attacking intent. This is an opportunity to take that on to another stage.

“I’ve worked alongside Jonny in training with the Ireland squads for the past 18 months and as well as that we know what he has been doing for Leinster in the past couple of seasons.

“So it’s going to be a big occasion for him, but then it’s going to be a massive occasion for everybody involved. He deserves his chance and I’m sure he’ll be relishing the opportunity.

“I know I am. To have been given the nod for a match like this is a privilege as well as a pleasure. This is as big a test as you can have.”

The fact that coach Declan Kidney has chosen him ahead of his rival for the number 12 jersey, Gordon D’Arcy in each of the autumn’s two big tests, against Australia and the Springboks, is a real vote of confidence in Wallace’s ability — a display of faith that he intends to honour and justify.