The rivalry between Ireland and the Sprinkboks, or perhaps Ireland and Rassie Erasmus resumes this summer, when the Six Nations champions head to South Africa for a two-test series against the reigning World Champions.
The two nations have had some fierce, entertaining encounters in recent time which has led to some bitter feuds between the Springboks head coach and Andy Farrell's side.
While most of the Irish camp will be back focused on their provincial duties over the coming months, Andy Farrell and his backroom staff will be gearing up for July's summer tour.
Schalk Burger unsure over Erasmus' approach to Ireland test
Under the reign of Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks have always geared up towards the big tournaments like the World Cup, even if it does mean fielding under-strength or more experimental sides for these games in between.
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Two former South Africa internationals spoke about the possibilities of this summer's colossal two-test tour between Ireland and the Sprinkboks.
Speaking on the RugbyPass "Boks Office" podcast, Schalk Burger, who won 86 caps for his country, addressed the possible selection that Erasmus might lean towards with fellow ex-Springbok Robbie Fleck.
Burger suggested that Erasmus could change tack and choose to big up Ireland to create a siege mentality within the Boks squad ahead of the summer series
I think, especially with Rassie, he's the world's best at creating a narrative where it's the end of the world, armageddon, everyone's against the Boks - "Ireland is the best team by far," we'll follow into Rassie's slipstream. But, at the end of the day...I guess that sort of suits the way Rassie goes about (it). He knows this kind of crop of players is probably going to be touch and go (for the next World Cup). A lot of them will be going 34, 36-7 years old so not everyone can go.
There's a transition period that Rassie will have to handle. That will start happening this year, really. Give young players, players who have been on the fringes, quite a lot of chances to play against the best players in the world. Maybe you lose a test match along the way, but...all of us, me and Fleckie, we're fans of how Ireland play. Ireland's never won a series in South Africa. They had a really good chance in 2016, lost up in Ellis Park. They've got a good chance of doing it this year, although both of us sitting here want the Boks to give them a...
Robbie Fleck weighed in on the dynamics between Andy Farrell and Rassie Erasmus, and highlighted his admiration for the Irish head coach.
I'm a fan, not only of how Ireland play, but I'm a fan of Farrell. He's just brutal honesty, he's genuine. What you see is what you get. I love the way he deals with the media. I don't think he's going to say something that he doesn't necessarily believe in.
He's not going to create...the way it was between Rassie and Gatland during the Lions series. There's no gamesmanship. I don't think it's gamesmanship (from Farrell). I think he's dead on in saying, 'South Africa are the best, that's where we want to go to and beat them in their backyard.' He's stepping up to the challenge and going, 'I'm happy to go head-to-head with the Springboks. I'm not going to play games behind the scenes.'
Questions regarding selection from the South African camp, there have also been whispers around a possible shake-up to the Ireland squad that will travel. Former Irish hooker and current pundit, Bernard Jackman, suggested that some of Ireland's key players should be rested over the summer.
Following Ireland's first ever test series win in New Zealand back in 2022, a first series win over the Springboks in their back yeard this summer will only add to an already decorated CV for Andy Farrell during his Irish career.
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