Heat on for Kerr's tourists

South Africa v Republic of Ireland, (Athlone Stadium, 12.0)

Getting the players acclimatised to the heat as much as possible has been manager Brian Kerr's chief problem prior to today's opening game. Temperatures in Cape Town are above normal for this time of the year, with the players training at match time yesterday in a staggering 36 degrees.

One or two players had a touch of a stomach bug since arriving on Sunday, with Dessie Byrne the worst affected, but Kerr is hopeful of picking from a fully fit squad.

"We've trained well and have emphasised to the players the need for them to train with plenty of fluids in them to get used to the feeling," said Kerr, who finds it remarkable that the matches are being played so early in the day with temperatures so high in very strong, direct sunlight.

Kerr will play with his favoured 4-3-3 line-up with the main selection decision being who plays wide on the right up front. Brendan McGill, one of the best players when this team won the UEFA Under-16 title in Scotland, is being run very hard by Sunderland club-mate Thomas Butler.

David McMahon, who has scored four times in the five games so far at under-17 level, will be relied upon to continue that rich vein of form as he leads the attack.

Probable team: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Thompson (Nottingham Forest), O'Shea (Manchester United), Goodwin (Celtic), Foy (Nottingham Forest); Dempsey (Everton), Miller (Celtic), S Byrne (West Ham United); McGill (Sunderland), McMahon (Newcastle United), Reid (Nottingham Forest).