The key duels that could decide Ireland vs Springboks

IRELAND vs the Springboks promises to be a blockbuster clash today at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

INSIDE centre Damian de Allende's battle with Bundee Aki could be a crucial duel today when the Springboks take on Ireland in Dublin.

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With plenty at stake in this highly anticipated encounter (7:40pm kickoff), especially after last season's drawn series in South Africa, many see this match as the unofficial deciding Test. While it will take a full 23-man effort to secure victory, certain key players will need to provide the inspiration.

We look at five matchups that could shape the outcome.

Two emerging flyhalves that offer one of the most intriguing future rivalries in international rugby.

The Bok's Feinberg-Mngomezulu plays with natural instinct mixing confident distribution with a dangerous running threat and a varied kicking game. His ability to attack the line and turn broken play into opportunity gives him an unpredictable edge.

Prendergast, by contrast, is composed and technically refined.