Despite both sitting high in the one-day international rankings, it will be a rare meeting when South Africa take on India on Sunday.
Both ranked in the top three in one-day international cricket, South Africa and India will meet for just the fifth time in almost four years in their Cricket World Cup clash at the MCG on Sunday.
The Indians, ranked second by the ICC, got their tournament off to the ideal start with a convincing 76-run win over rivals Pakistan in Adelaide on February 15.
South Africa were not as imposing in their campaign opener, despite still banking a 62-run win over Zimbabwe the same day.
The two powerhouses have been virtual strangers on the ODI scene of late though, partially due to Cricket South Africa's employment of former ICC chief Haroon Lorgat - who caused the ire of the Board of Control for Cricket in India when leading world cricket's governing body.
Their most recent series was won by the Proteas in a whitewash 2-0 (plus a no-result), with the winning margins of 141 and 134 runs indicative of the contest - or lack thereof.
Sunday's blockbuster, though, promises to be much closer, with both nations getting plenty of time to adjust to Australian conditions in competitive matches of late.
The Proteas were in Australia in November, losing a five-match series 4-1, while the Indians were humbled in the four-Test series and also failed to make the tri-series final involving England and Australia.
Star India batsman Virat Kohli, who made a century against Pakistan in Adelaide, said a win over South Africa would build the squad's belief they can go all the way and defend their World Cup crown.
"From the point of view that'll give us immense self-belief that we can beat big sides come the knockout stages as well will play a big factor in the game tomorrow," Kohli said.
South Africa captain AB De Villiers said he was ready to embrace the expected 80,000 crowd at the MCG.
"I'm pretty happy it's going to be packed," De Villiers said.
"The last few games I played here it wasn't full, and it almost feels wrong. You almost get lost in the middle out there, it's so big.
"So it's nice to know it's going to be chock-a-block tomorrow, I've always enjoyed big crowds, enjoyed busy games, intense games, so it should get the blood flowing tomorrow, playing in front of a big crowd in a big stadium with great tradition and history.
"We always love playing in big games."