SAINTS will be renewing a rivalry which started almost 30 years ago when they host Belgian giants Anderlecht in their only pre-season friendly at St Mary's.

Anderlecht, who finished runners-up to Bruges in the Jupiler League in 2004/05, have been confirmed as Saints' latest pre-season opponents at St Mary's on Saturday, July 30 (3pm).

It will be Anderlecht's first return to Southampton since they lost 2-0 in a third round second leg European Cup Winners Cup tie in 1976/77.

Saints, though, still went out on aggregate to the holders after losing the first leg 2-0 in Belgium.

Anderlecht are the most famous club in their own country with 27 Championship titles. They still had a chance of a 28th this year until they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Bruges in their penultimate game.

Anderlecht boast a cosmpolitan forward line which includes Serbian ace Nenad Jestrovic, who fired 25 goals in 20 games for Belgian club Excelsior Mouscron in 2000/01.

That form saw the player linked with a move to Tottenham before Anderlecht won the race to sign him.

Injuries wrecked his first season but in his second, 2002/03, he belted 20 goals in 23 games.

Also vying for striker slots are Belgian international Mbo Mpenza, the brother of fellow international Emile, and Ivory Coast international Aruna Dindane, who was voted Belgium's player of the year in 2003/04.

Anderlecht's most well-known player, though, is probably Swedish international wide midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson.

Along with the likes of Anders Svensson and Mikael Nilsson, Wilhelmsson played in all Sweden's Euro 2004 finals matches and won rave reviews in his home country.

Saints start their pre-season campaign with a visit to Scottish Premier Division side Motherwell, and former St Mary's striker and Celtic nemesis Scott McDonald on Tuesday, July 12.

Saints then face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park three days later

Back in England, Harry Redknapp takes his side to Dean Court to face one of his former clubs, Bournemouth, on Friday, July 22.

Saints then travel to newly-promoted League One outfit Yeovil Town, who boast ex-Saints midfielder Arron Davies, on Tuesday, July 26.

Anderlecht visit on the Saturday and the Coca Cola Championship campaign kicks off on Saturday August 7.