Tri-Nations set to end two weeks before Rugby World Cup

The All Blacks, led by Richie McCaw, are unbeaten in the 2010 tri-nations

The 2011 Tri-Nations tournament will end just two weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The All Blacks will play Australia in the final match in Brisbane on 27 August, 13 days before they open the World Cup on home soil against Tonga.

Along with South Africa, the two rivals will play four matches, shortened from the usual six, from 23 July-27 August.

SANZAR - the umbrella group for the trio - said it hoped to give them "crucial momentum in the final run-up".

606: DEBATE It´s a perfect opportunity to get match fit for all sides and with only four Tests the attritional side of things won´t come as much into play kiakahaaotearoa

Next year's Tri-Nations will be the final one for the three-country format, with Argentina set to join the southern hemisphere's premier tournament from 2012.

This year's Tri-Nations tournament has four fixtures remaining, with New Zealand unbeaten after two victories over South Africa and one over Australia.

The Springboks meet the All Blacks on Saturday in the first rugby international to be played at the 94,000-capacity FNB Stadium - known as Soccer City during the recent football World Cup - in the Soweto area of Johannesburg.