Australia, Proteas to lock ODI horns

Australia and South Africa will be well acquainted with one other by the end of 2016 after it was today announced the two nations will compete in a five-match one-day international series next September and October.

Steve Smith's men will travel to South Africa in late September for a one-off ODI against Ireland before facing the Proteas in five 50-over matches which begin in Centurion and conclude in Cape Town on October 12.

The ODI contest will be third of four series between the two powerhouses of world cricket to be announced for the 2016 calendar year.

WATCH: Hazlewood takes five against South Africa last summer

In March, Australia will play three Twenty20 internationals in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town in the lead-up to the ICC World T20 in India, where the two sides could meet again in the tournament.

The two teams will travel to the Caribbean in June for an ODI tri-series against the West Indies to be played in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados. 

Immediately following the ODI series in October, the Proteas are scheduled to travel to Australia for a four-Test series before Pakistan arrive for three Tests of their own.

In total, Australia and South Africa will square off in a minimum of 15 matches in 2016. 

WATCH: Smith's incredible shot between his legs

The Australia ODI tour is part of jam-packed 2016-17 summer for the world No.1 Test nation.

South Africa will host and visit both Australia and New Zealand, as well as welcoming Sri Lanka for a full tour of Tests, ODIs and T20s in December and January.

Fortunately for Australia, South Africa's similar climate and familiar pitches have made the rainbow nation a home away from home since the Proteas' readmission in 1991.

Australia have not lost a Test series since South Africa were reinstated by the International Cricket Council after the banishment of apartheid, and in ODI cricket, of the seven series that have been played, the ledger is all square at three-all with one drawn series.

Australia's limited-overs tour of South Africa, 2016

September 27: v Ireland, Day, Sahara Park Willowmoore

September 30: v South Africa, D/N, SuperSport Park

October 2: v South Africa, Day, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium

October 5: v South Africa, D/N, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead

October 9: v South Africa, Day, St. George’s Park

October 12: v South Africa, D/N, PPC Newlands