``I think that's always the way when you play against your fellow fast bowler,'' said 30-year-old Pringle who, like Dawson, plays for Western Province and took the younger man under his wing when Dawson first came into the side.
``There's a rivalry there between quickies.
``We would both like to get one up on the other.
``For example, when Desmond Haynes, who also plays for Western Province, comes up against Natal's Malcolm Marshall, both of them always put in more effort.
``They like to get the other out.
``That's the way it will be with me and Alan tomorrow.
``But when the match is over, all will be forgotten and we can be friends again!''
Their involvement adds extra spice to a match between two sides who have struggled to make an impact on the Lancashire League this season.
Defending champions Rishton currently lie in mid-table obscurity, having failed to find the necessary consistency to embark on a successful run in this season's competition. Nelson are third from the bottom, out of the Cup and fighting to avoid end-of-season flirtations with the wooden spoon. Though on paper, Rishton should therefore have the upper hand, Pringle's acquaintance with Dawson prevents him taking anything for granted.
``Alan has a very good away swinger,'' said Pringle.
``The ball we use here, where you can start swinging the ball after 15, 20, 25 overs, is not the same as the one we use back home.
``There we use what we call the kookaburra which will swing from the first ball. Alan has the in-swinger from the word go. We will have to be careful.''
Pringle admits that, when playing against Dawson on the golf course, he has to be careful too - careful to avoid losing vast sums of money.
``He just squeezes ahead of me usually,'' said Pringle, about their tussles at Marsden Park in Nelson. But I do manage to beat Billy Stelling (East Lancs professional and fellow South African)!''
It is another South African, however, with whom - in these parts anyway - Pringle is invariably compared.
Allan Donald took 106 wickets for Rishton last season as they marched towards a successful defense of their crown but Pringle maintains that he is not here to compete against Donald's accomplishments.
``Allan Donald is Allan Donald, I'm Meyrick Pringle - I can't be expected to bowl as quickly as him,'' added Pringle.
``I'm here to do a job for Rishton to the best of my ability and I intend to do that.
``We just need the luck to swing our way a bit. ``Hopefully last week when we beat Enfield was the start of it.
``With us seemingly out of all competitions, the guys were calmer and everybody was relaxed.
``Everything ran a lot smoother and hopefully it will remain that way.''
Elsewhere leaders Haslingden entertain Todmorden.
East Lancs have professional Billy Stelling back after injury when they go to Bacup.
Title-challenging Lowerhouse entertain Accrington, who have Peter Sleep as substitute professional for the weekend following the departure of Nathan Astle to Nottinghamshire.
Fixtures: Bacup v E Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson.