It's been tetchy, feisty and more often than not, downright confrontational.
That, however, only accounts for Pakistan's combative spirit on the field as their nocturnal activities have at times stumbled haplessly down the corridor of uncertainty while in SA.
Just ask Mohammad Akram and Shaqlain Mushtaq, whose late-night walkabout delayed the start of the first Test of the 1998 series by a day.
On the field the 1994/95 tour got off to a tetchy start as former national fast bowler Steven Jack recalled this week. He has rather distinct memories of swashbuckling opener Aamer Sohail.
"I sat him on his arse in a warm-up game at the Oppenheimer ground. And then knocked him over the next ball," Jack recalled matter of factly.
As combustible combatants the sparks were always going to fly the next time the fiery Jack and cocksure Sohail crossed paths in Cape Town later that tour. "He waited for me in Cape Town and he certainly got his own back," said Jack, though we have it on good authority hostilities didn't end after Sohail's knock of 71 in a losing cause.
Four years on, under Sohail, the tourists won a Test for the first time on South African soil but due to the curious machinations of Pakistan cricket, Rashid Latif was installed as captain in the next Test. The Akram/Saqlain saga clearly still lingered.
Sohail this week reflected positively on that tour. "Those are fond memories I have of SA. Coming to SA is always very pleasurable," said Sohail.
If there is a spirit of entente in the air, it is unlikely to change with ex-Proteas coach Mickey Arthur at the helm of Pakistan.
The Class of '18 who arrived on Thursday, appear to be on a shorter leash under Arthur. They have been more consistent over the last while, though the coach must still be bristling at the way in which they went down to New Zealand in their last series.
"Under Mickey they are a lot more disciplined," said Jack.
Sohail, though upbeat about Pakistan's batting, cautioned they need to quickly find their feet. "Whenever Pakistan come to SA they need time to get acquainted with conditions, especially the bounce."
Sohail believes ball will in all probability dominate bat in the Test series. "I think whoever scores 300 runs in the first innings will have a chance to get the better result."
He also contends the Pakistan lower middle order may give them a slight advantage.
"It also gets very demoralising for the bowling side if they are unable to get the lower order out quickly," said Sohail, albeit with some terms and conditions. "They too will have to get used to the bounce," he said factoring in the effects of the second new ball.
Jack doesn't think much of the Pakistan batting. In their last 10 Tests Pakistan's last five wickets have dropped with on average only 96 runs being added to the total.
They haven't convinced at the top of the order either. "If you look at their batting they are way short on experience," said Jack. "Younis Khan is gone, Misbah (ul-Haq) is gone - the experienced core of their batting.
"I think they've got two guys who have played here before in their top order. How they adapt is going to be key.
"Don't look at the record of their batsmen. It's pointless 'cos you and I can get runs in Dubai.
"I don't think we need to leave a bit in the wickets like we did against India. As long as we make it bounce they'll struggle.
"After what happened against India we just need to be careful of what we prepare at Wanderers. We nearly lost the Aussie Test match as well."..