Overview
- New Zealand confirmed six to seven changes after injuries, with captain Scott Barrett back in the second row and Damian McKenzie starting at fly-half in place of the sidelined Beauden Barrett.
- Beauden Barrett, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax and Caleb Clarke were ruled out, prompting starts for Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Peter Lakai and Leicester Fainga'anuku, with Quinn Tupaea preferred at outside centre.
- Australia made five changes as Will Skelton and Jake Gordon return to the XV, Tane Edmed gets the No.10 jersey, James O'Connor moves to the bench and veteran prop James Slipper plays his 151st and final Test.
- Standings before the final round place South Africa on 15 points ahead of New Zealand (14) and Australia (11), leaving the All Blacks and Wallabies needing a win in Perth and a Springboks stumble against Argentina to keep title hopes alive.
- The Pumas-Boks finale was moved to Twickenham on neutral ground for attendance and revenue reasons, with Springbok players framing it as a de facto final and Ox Nche among those returning to the squad.