Ireland and South Africa's battle to host the 2023 World Cup has certainly added some extra spice to the buildup of this Test match. There has been a fair bit of mudslinging this week by the administrators, especially from the Irish, after World Rugby recommended that the showpiece event should go back to Africa for the first time since 1995.
On the rugby front, however, it's been quite cordial, with both teams waxing lyrical about the opposition and their strong points. But both countries' administrators running the game would desperately like a win on Saturday ahead of the bid announcement on 15 November, although it may only count for so much at the end of the day.
Yet, nobody is more desperate for a win than Bok coach Allister Coetzee, who is winless in his last four matches in charge of South Africa. His record of nine wins out of 21 matches is also way below par for a Springbok coach. A win against Ireland will certainly give his stocks a timely boost and provide the Boks with a platform to finish the year on a high note.
Team news
Not everybody in Ireland is happy with Bundee Aki's inclusion in the team, but the New Zealander will bring a powerful and hard-running dimension to the Irish backline. Ulster's Jacob Stockdale will make his first home start for Ireland on the left wing, with Andrew Conway winning his fourth cap after the injured Keith Earls wasn't considered for selection.
The Boks welcome back experienced props Tendai Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen for the clash in Dublin. Oosthuizen was in great form before he got injured against Australia in Perth, and should boost the South African scrum. Centre Damian de Allende also reclaims his starting berth after Jan Serfontein asked to be excused from the tour.
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Andrew Conway, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Darren Sweetnam.
Springboks: Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronjé, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Coenie Oosthuizen, Malcolm Marx, Beast Mtawarira.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw, Franco Mostert, Uzair Cassiem, Rudy Paige, Handré Pollard, Francois Venter.
Key head-to-head
In 2015 Damian de Allende looked like he was going to turn into one of South Africa's brightest stars when he topped most of the Super Rugby attack stats with his hard running and delicate touches. But after slow start to the 2016 season because of an ankle injury -- and possible fatigue -- he went off the boil in a big way.
This match, though, gives him the chance to show that he is the No 1 inside centre in South Africa. But he is coming up against the in-form Bundee Aki, who will present a tough challenge. Aki is big and strong, and a powerful runner with ball in hand. But he also runs fantastic lines and can offload in the tackle.
Key stats
* The Aviva Stadium in Dublin was built on the same ground previously occupied by Lansdowne Road, the oldest rugby stadium in the world. The first Test played at Lansdowne Road took place on 11 March 1878. Ireland played a total of 244 Tests at Lansdowne Road.
* The first Test played at the new Aviva Stadium was between Ireland and South Africa on 6 November 2010, which South Africa won 23-21.
* Beast Mtawarira will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok prop to 96. He is the third-most experienced Bok forward, behind Victor Matfield and John Smit.
Weather
While some parts of South Africa will be roasting in the high 30s this weekend, the Boks are going to face a typical Irish autumn day. There will be some showers in Dublin on Saturday morning, and a maximum of eight degrees will greet the players when they take the field.
Prediction
The Boks haven't beaten a team in the top four this year, and Saturday will be their last chance to do that. Ireland are very strong in their conditions at home and will be tough to be beat. But it could come down to a bounce of the ball on the day. Maybe a case of the 'luck of the Irish'? Ireland by five.