Round 16 of Super Rugby features just the five games with the African conference enjoying an extra week of due to the Springboks' historic clash with Wales in Washington DC.
The weekend is highlighted by three big local derbies across Australia and New Zealand, while the Brumbies wrap up proceedings against the Sunwolves on Sunday afternoon before the attention turns to the Test window.
Australian Conference
Stewart's chance to shine in interstate showdown
The focus may have been on Michael Cheika's Wallabies squad, the ongoing trans-Tasman diplomacy for Pete Samu in particular, but there is a round of Super Rugby to be played this weekend.
And, from an Australian perspective, it doesn't come much bigger. The Reds and Waratahs will meet for the second time this season, yet Saturday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium looms as the best showdown between the two rivals for some time.
The Waratahs have won their last eight encounters against the Reds, the most recent triumph being a 37-16 triumph at the SCG in April, and have done so by an average of 19 points. It has been a dominant run by the New South Welshman after Queensland had owned the rivalry for much of the opening decade of Super Rugby.
But this weekend's showdown just feels like it's going to down to the final minutes. The Reds have played better rugby than their 4-8 record suggests, and really should have iced last weekend's 18-15 loss to the Highlanders. The inexperience of Brad Thorn's side proved critical however, their lack of kicking expertise in particular.
The Waratahs, meanwhile, finished a run of four straight trans-Tasman clashes with just the one victory - over the Highlanders in Sydney - but it could have easily been a clean sweep, too, with a little more poise under pressure.
Despite the lack of recent victories, both sides are trending upwards. And given 15 players from Cheika's squad will be on show, it is last opportunity for bragging rights before those men come together in the Test environment on Sunday.
While not part of the Wallabies squad, much to the disappointment of ESPN columnist Greg Growden, promising Reds playmaker Hamish Stewart has been moved back to No.10. Having spent the last few games at fullback, Thorn has chosen the ideal moment to bring Stewart back into the frontline for a showdown with Wallabies No.10 Bernard Foley.
Given Australia's lack of depth at No.10, there is still plenty of time for Stewart to impress before the World Cup squad is named in the middle of next year. A solid outing against Foley would certainly set Stewart on his way.
Match Centre: Reds vs. Waratahs
Match Centre: Brumbies vs. Sunwolves
New Zealand Conference
Canes to sting injury-hit Crusaders, sneak into top spot
While they weren't prepared to use it as an excuse for their loss to the Crusaders, the Hurricanes certainly weren't happy with some of the interpretations from Australian referee Angus Gardner last week.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd since has gone back and forth with SANZAAR game manager Lyndon Bray, trying to work out exactly where his side went wrong and what they may be able to rectify for Friday's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
It's no easy assignment to begin with, either, given the Highlanders have won their last 11 games at Forsyth Barr Stadium and this week welcome back All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Liam Squire into the run-on XV.
But stung by the Crusaders last week, their inability to adapt to wet weather rugby exposed, the Hurricanes can't afford to drop this one if they hold any hope of claiming top spot and the No.1 seeding for the playoffs.
Currently five points adrift of the defending champions, a loss in Dunedin on Friday and a Crusaders win in Hamilton a day later, would just about seal top spot for Scott Robertson's side given their two games after the June break both fall at home.
The Hurricanes do have a game in hand, though, and could run the Crusaders down with bonus-point wins in two of their last three games. But it's imperative the 2016 champions bounce back this weekend.
They will appreciate the perfect conditions on offer under the Forysth Barr Stadium roof but will need to wear down the workmanlike Highlanders pack before they unleash their All Blacks-laden backline out wide.
A loss for the Hurricanes will move the Crusaders a step closer to the first Super Rugby title defence since the Chiefs went back-to-back in 2012/13. As they showed last week, the Crusaders are incredibly hard to beat at home even when down several quality All Blacks.
Match Centre: Highlanders vs. Hurricanes