South Africa may have painful memories of their last visit to Lansdowne Road so the last person they will want to see staring back at them in Dublin next month is Paul Honiss.
Somehow, by a cruel, if not mischievous, twist of fate, New Zealand referee Honiss will be the man in the middle for Ireland's date with the Springboks on Saturday, November 11.
He is remembered fondly by the 'Boks for his 'part' in Ronan O'Gara's try which helped Ireland to a famous 17-12 win at Lansdowne back in November 2004.
Without singling out the Honiss incident, South African forwards coach Gert Smal reckons the 'Boks have learned from the pitfalls of 2004, when they lost tour matches to Ireland and England and only had two points to spare over Wales.
He said: "We've learned from our previous experiences, playing in the Northern Hemisphere. It's very different playing on those wet and heavy fields.
"We've kept good record of that and there are certain techniques and tactical things you look at. We are busy working on these things at the moment and we'll definitely start improving on that."
...Jake White...
'Boks coach Jake White currently has his troops stationed at a training camp in Johannesburg, and Smal reckons the tourists' biggest challenge will come when they renew rilvaries with Ireland, rather than in their two clashes with Andy Robinson's England side on November 18 and 25.
"I think Ireland will be tougher than England. If not tougher, then certainly as difficult as England. They're a very well organised unit, have settled combinations in all departments and they have experience.
"It's going to be a huge challenge for us," Smal added.
Allister Coetzee, South Africa's backs coach, echoed his colleague's sentiments, saying: "Ireland are one helluva team. They've got some fantastic backs who've been playing together for some time now and their second row in particular is very impressive."
While the noises coming out of the training camp have suggested that the South African pack for the Ireland Test will be along the lines of the one used throughout the Tri Nations, White will more than likely give game-time to uncapped backs Jaco Pretorius, Francois Steyn and Bevin Fortuin in Dublin.
Natal Sharks full-back/out-half Steyn is the youngest of the three - he turned 19 last May.
The 'Boks injury list has included, in recent days, centre Wynand Olivier, who has since returned to training after a short term knee injury, but their only concern at present is prop CJ van der Linde who is suffering from a tight hamstring.
As well as some new players in their ranks - Blues Bulls back row Hilton Lobberts is the fourth newcomer in White's 28-man touring squad - the 'Boks will also have to deal with a new ball for next month's festivities.
The newly developed Gilbert "Synergie" ball will be used this autumn for the first time. The 'Boks will train with the new ball, which is the official match ball for next year's Rugby World Cup, for the first time next week.
The Ireland-South Africa Test match will kick-off at 5pm at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, November 11.
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