Dublin - South Africa centre Jean de Villiers will join the world champions in Dublin on Thursday, officials have announced.

De Villiers, who joined Irish province Munster in September, has been called into the squad to replace Adi Jacobs, who has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against Six Nations champions Ireland with an ankle injury.

Jacobs will return to South Africa on Thursday, when the world champions are also due to name their team to play Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland at Croke Park. - AFP