Ulster returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 32-27 United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.
Olympian Zac Ward is set to start on the wing for Emerging Ireland on Wednesday against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
Emerging Ireland have been dealt another injury blow with Connacht prop Jordan Duggan being replaced by Leinster's Alex Usanov the day before the squad embark for South Africa.
Leinster flanker James Culhane has been passed fit to team up with Emerging Ireland for their three-match tour in South Africa next month.
The talented midfielder has gone from idolising powerhouse Aki to playing alongside him.
As a new United Rugby Championship (URC) season approaches, we take a closer look at the physical makeup of the 16 sides competing for silverware.
Franco Smith has opted to stick with the same XV that triumphed over the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final for their semi-final clash with reigning champions Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday.
It's uplifting for the URC that Ireland's most successful province are under pressure to deliver in Pretoria.