The countdown to the Springboks' upcoming clashes against some of the worlds biggest rugby nations is already building anticipation across South Africa.
But beyond sold-out stadiums, packed sports bars and family braais, new research suggests rugby's grip on Mzansi's sporting imagination has never been stronger.
New statistics released by BrandMapp reveal that rugby has edged ahead of football to become the most popular spectator sport among South Africa's consumer-class adults, a segment representing around 14 million people living in households earning more than R10,000 per month.
