Standing in front of Ireland's back to back Grand Slam winning under-20s and a place in the World Rugby Championships final is the last team to have beaten them.
South Africa deservedly won 33-24 on that day in June of last year in Verona during the summer series.
Since then, Richie Murphy's side have gone 10 games unbeaten and, after an extremely difficult week when they have trained and played on despite dealing with tragedy and their grief, have their sights set on that world crown.
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The two sides have changed a lot since their last meeting, but a rump of the Irish team remains in situ from then and well remember that loss to the Junior Boks.
Sam Prendergast, George Hadden, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Diarmuid Mangan, James McNabney and Charlie Irvine all played that day.
Ireland have the better form going into this last four clash in Cape Town (3.30pm Irish time), having drawn with England and beaten Australia and Fiji. South Africa lost to Italy, beat Georgia and then staged a dramatic comeback to qualify by beating Argentina.
Still, head coach Murphy knows a massive effort is required. "We've got to put pressure on South Africa," he said.
"We played them last year in the summer series with a different team, obviously, but collision wise they were very dominant, their out-half that day played on the front foot and really hurt us.
"We put some really good rugby together that day but were a distant second so I suppose, trying to get a bit of pressure in through their half-backs, they kick a lot, they don't really play at their end and love to get their big forwards on the front foot.
"After a couple of phases they love to play wide and deep and get some mis-matches on the outside channels. They have a nice mix, they haven't been perfect throughout the tournament but they'll be a handful.
"We're very aware of the challenge we face, we've tried to replicate some of that stuff in training and we're excited about that challenge.
"We've often said within the group it's about being adaptable, about being able to play in whatever way we can whether that's down to the conditions or the venue."
The under-20s are playing in the Athlone Stadium this afternoon but, while there will be a vocal Irish crowd roaring them on, home advantage will be very much in evident for the Junior Boks.
"We are expecting quite a big South African crowd, there's quite a large number of Irish people here, which is fantastic, but they'll be very much out-numbered in the stadium," acknowledged Murphy.
"That's going to be a challenge but it's one that these lads are looking forward to.
"Playing South Africa in South Africa is a special occasion, no matter if it's under-20s or senior level, it's one of the best rugby places to go and play and it's one I'm sure these lads will remember for a long time."
