The Rugby Championship crown is up for grabs in the final weekend of the 2019 tournament.
Australia has the chance to spoil New Zealand's party in Perth on Saturday night, as both sides enter the match with one win from two matches so far.
South Africa will be looking to steal the trophy with a win over Argentina in Salta on Sunday morning (AEST), after snatching a last-gasp draw with the Kiwis a fortnight ago.
SCHEDULE
Saturday August 10
7:45pm - Wallabies vs New Zealand, Optus Stadium, Perth, LIVE on Network Ten, FOX SPORTS, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
Sunday August 11
5:40am - Argentina vs South Africa, Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo
AUSTRALIA vs NEW ZEALAND
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has backed James O'Connor to handle his first Test assignment at outside centre after the 29-year-old was a shock pick at no.13 to take on the All Blacks in Perth.
The surprise selection of O'Connor was one of four changes to the Wallabies’ starting team for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash on Saturday, which also includes the return of Allan Alaalatoa from injury, Nic White starting at halfback and Tolu Latu starting at hooker.
But despite speculation he may also come back at Optus Stadium, there is no David Pocock in the Wallabies’ team; with the veteran flanker still being kept on ice until a potential comeback next week in Auckland.
O’Connor replaces Tevita Kuridrani in the Wallabies’ starting side in his first run-on Test since 2013 against Argentina.
The 29-year-old has never played no.13 in international rugby but O’Connor played 12 minutes off the bench in the outside role against Argentina in Brisbane.
"It's a different set-up in the midfield," Cheika said.
"Samu and Tevita have played together there over the first couple of games and they’ll present a certain picture those two lads, and I think James will bring something a little bit different that we haven’t seen, so definitely our opponents won’t have seen it either.
"He seems to have handled it pretty well in training. I am looking forward to seeing him out there."
The All Blacks have made six changes to their run-on side to face the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday night.
While the Richie Mo'unga-Beauden Barrett combination has remained, there are a host of changes through their starting XV for the opening Bledisloe.
Experienced hooker Dane Coles returns to the no. 2 jersey for the clash, pushing Codie Taylor to the bench, while Scott Barrett replaces the injured Brodie Retallick in the second row.
In-form flanker Ardie Savea has forced his way back into the starting team and while there was speculation his return might push Kieran Read to no. 6, it is the Hurricanes livewire who will play blindside, with Sam Cane named to play openside and Read at no. 8.
In the backs, Aaron Smith will start at halfback ahead of TJ Perenara while Anton Lienert-Brown will team up with Jack Goodhue in the centres, taking Sonny Bill Williams' spot there.
TEAMS
Australia to face New Zealand
Scott Sio, Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Michael Hooper, Isi Naisarani, Nic White, Christian Lealiifano, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, James O'Connor, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale. Reserves: Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Adam Coleman, Luke Jones, Will Genia, Matt To'omua, Tom Banks
New Zealand to face Australia
Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, George Bridge
REFEREES
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistant Referee 1: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 2: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
ODDS
Australia - $4.75
New Zealand - $1.20
ARGENTINA vs SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa have changed their entire front row as they seek a bonus-point win in Argentina Saturday that would clinch their first Rugby Championship title.
Props Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira and Trevor Nyakane and hooker Bongi Mbonambi have been promoted with Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and hooker Malcolm Marx benched.
The changes for the Salta Test are the continuation of a rotational system with Mtawarira, Mbonambi and Nyakane beginning in a home win over Australia last month.
Kitshoff, Marx and Malherbe began the drawn Test away to World Cup trophy-holders New Zealand the following weekend.
There are no other alterations to the matchday 23 as the Springboks seek to win a competition that has been dominated by New Zealand with six titles while Australia came first once.
"This Test is a good opportunity for Bongi and Trevor to start next to the 'Beast', who has a wealth of experience from playing more than 100 Tests,"said coach Rassie Erasmus.
"We all know about the massively difficult forward threat of Argentina," he said of opponents who have recalled fit-again hooker Agustin Creevy for the Test.
"However, they are also a clever side with skill and pace out wide so we will have to be alert on defence right until the final whistle.
"The Pumas are a very difficult team to play at home and they will be fired up for this one in front of their passionate crowd in Salta," warned Erasmus.
Northwestern city Salta has hosted the teams three times with the Springboks winning twice and the Pumas once.
South Africa lead the Rugby Championship with seven points after two rounds, New Zealand have six, Australia four and Argentina two.
Traditionally a two-round competition, it has been reduced to a single round this year because the Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 20 in Japan.
South Africa are in Pool B with defending champions New Zealand, Italy, Canada and Namibia while Argentina will face England, France, Tonga and the United States in Pool C.
Pumas veteran Agustin Creevy returns to the side for Sunday morning's clash with the Springboks.
Creevy missed Argentina's 16-10 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane with a shoulder injury but will slot straight back into the starting side this week.
His return pushes Julian Montoya to the bench against South Africa.
Coach Mario Ledesma has rotated his second rowers with Matias Alemanno and Marcos Kremer, taking the place of Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini, while flanker Javier Ortega Desio returns to the starting side in Salta as well.
In the backs, Emiliano Boffelli will have a crack at fullback, pushing Joaquin Tuculet to the bench in the only change to the starting backline.
Argentina need to beat South Africa to avoid finishing last in the Rugby Championship, after losses to New Zealand and Australia in their campaign so far.
TEAMS
Argentina to face South Africa
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy, Juan Figallo, Matias Alemanno, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Javier Ortega Desio, Facundo Isa, Tomas Cubelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Ramiro Moyano, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Moroni, Santiago Cordero, Emiliano Boffelli. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas, Santiago Medrano, Guido Petti, Tomas Lezana , Gonzalo Bertranou, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Joaquin Tuculet
South Africa to face Argentina
Tendai Mtwarira, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allenda, Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, François Steyn, Jesse Kriel
REFEREES
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
ODDS
Argentina - $2.90
South Africa - $1.44
