Five years is as long time to go between meetings for the top Tier 1 nations in rugby, but that's how long it's been since Ireland and South Africa last went head to head.
In that most recent game in 2017 at the Aviva Stadium, you'd have been laughed off if you suggested that the Springboks would go on and win a third World Cup title just two years later, with Ireland 38-3 winners on that occasion.
The prospect of a similar scoreline on either side seems highly unlikely this week, with both sides at close to full strength, and building their way towards the World Cup in France next year, where they will also meet in the pool stage.
Don't expect any shadowboxing either; with many of the Irish team having never played the Boks before, the winning of the game is hugely important, simply to prove to themselves they can win against this type of team.
South Africa's form has been slightly inconsistent this year. At times they've been they've physically dominant selves, but some scattered defeats to Wales, New Zealand and Australia have tainted their season.
Neither side have dominated this fixture in recent history, with Ireland winning six, and the Springboks taking four of their last 10 meetings, while South Africa have an impressive 50% win record from their four games at the Aviva Stadium.
TV
Ireland v South Africa will be live on Virgin Media Two, with coverage getting under way from 4.30pm
RADIO
Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 will have live commentary, with Michael Corcoran joined by Donal Lenihan at the Aviva Stadium.
ONLINE
RTE.ie/sport will have carry a live blog of the game, followed by a match report, player ratings and post match reaction from the Aviva.
WEATHER
Conditions should hold up reasonably well on Saturday evening in Dublin, with the biggest chance of rain being earlier in the day. Temperatures will be roughly 11C, with wind of around 15-20km per hour.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v South Africa on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app this Saturday from 5pm with live radio commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
If there's a gamble being taken by Andy Farrell, it's the inclusion of Hugo Keenan at full-back.
The Leinster man is thrown straight into the action, having not played since Ireland's tour of New Zealand in the summer.
Jamison Gibson-Park is also included in matchday squad having sat out the opening seven rounds of the URC, but he's held in reserve on the replacements bench, with Conor Murray named to start on what will be his 100th cap.
Farrell was forced into a late change on Friday when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Stuart McCloskey promoted to the starting line-up and Jimmy O'Brien named on the bench.
Up front there are no surprises, with the same starting pack retained from all three Tests against the All Blacks.
The glaring omission from a South African point of view is Lukhanyo Am, with the Sharks centre ruled out due to injury, replaced in the line-up by the experienced Jesse Kriel.
As you would expect, the pack of forwards is strong and settled, with seven of the eight having featured in the 2019 World Cup final, number 8 Jasper Wiese the only one without a medal.
And while they will no doubt look to use that bullish pack to full effect, Jacques Nienaaber has picked a backline that has bags of skill and pace, with Damian Willemse at out-half appearing to be a far more adventurous option than the injured Handre Pollard, while the back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimipi are as fast as any 15-14-11 combination in Test rugby.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson Park, Joey Carbery, Jimmy O'Brien
South Africa: Cheslin Kolbe; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
AR 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
AR 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
Andy Farrell: "The lessons learned are going to be vast for both sides, win or lose. I suppose the team that loses will learn a little bit more and know which direction they want to go, not just game plan-wise but player-wise.
"That's why I think this is priceless for both teams as a match-up. It’s exciting for what’s down the line but in the here and now it is good as well."
Jacques Nienaber (South Africa head coach): "If you look at Ireland across the board, there is a reason why they're currently No 1 in the world. They have beaten New Zealand in New Zealand and have got a well-balanced game.
"Obviously everybody sees how well they attack and keep ball in hand, but they are the best defensive side in the world currently, conceding the least tries and points."
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Ireland 38-3 South Africa - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (11 November 2017)
South Africa 19-13 Ireland - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth (25 June 2016)
South Africa 32-26 Ireland - Ellis Park, Johannesburg (18 June 2016)
South Africa 20-26 Ireland - Newlands, Cape Town (11 June 2016)
Ireland 29-15 South Africa - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (8 November 2014)
Ireland v South Africa is one of six major Test matches across the weekend, as well as Ireland A taking in New Zealand select XV on Friday night at the RDS.
Two games kick off at 1pm on Saturday, with Scotland hosting Fiji, while Italy face Samoa.
FULL AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES RESULTS AND FIXTURES
Wales host New Zealand at 3.15pm, with the hosts looking for their first win against the All Blacks since 1953, while at 8pm France host Australia at Stade de France.
There's also one game on Sunday, as England meet Argentina, in what will be a dress rehearsal for their World Cup pool game next year.
