World rankings: Springboks’ number one spot at risk even with Rugby Championship success

Colin Newboult
Springboks celebrate Freedom Cup win but Ireland (inset) are not far behind in the rankings.

Springboks' two wins over the All Blacks might not be enough to hold onto the number one spot.

South Africa will win the Rugby Championship if they overcome Argentina on Saturday but a defeat would see them lose their number one ranking.

While the Springboks beat the All Blacks twice to retain their spot at the summit, it was not enough to pull them away from Ireland.

That means any type of reversal at the hands of Los Pumas on Saturday will see them fall to second place, with Andy Farrell’s men usurping them.

Unique scenario

There could be a situation where the Boks lose both games against Felipe Contepomi’s outfit but still claim the Rugby Championship title.

Of course, that would be dependent on the closeness of the scorelines and how the bonus-points work out, but it is still a viable option.

Should that happen, Rassie Erasmus’ men would certainly go into the end-of-year tour behind at least Ireland in the standings despite claiming silverware.

They will likely have to remain unbeaten over the next two rounds to remain atop the rankings, with a win on Sunday, even by more than 15 points, only increasing their buffer to 1.74. A loss at home to the South Americans on September 28 would see their ranking points take a big hit.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks cannot catch the Boks this weekend, even with a dominant triumph in Australia, as that would only earn them 0.68. They can drop to fourth with a defeat, however, and a loss by more than 15 would see their rating sink to 85.93 – their lowest ever.

France would therefore go above New Zealand in the world rankings, despite having a mediocre 2024 so far following a second place finish in the Six Nations and a defeat out in Argentina in July.

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Speaking of Contepomi’s men, they have shown glimpses of their talent with impressive successes over Les Bleus and the All Blacks, but that has been interspersed with some poor displays.

As a result, they are still down in seventh position, but Los Pumas could move up one and above Scotland if they avoid defeat against the Springboks.

The Wallabies could also go up a place with a draw or win over their trans-Tasman rivals, but Joe Schmidt’s side could equally move down one depending on what Fiji do in the Pacific Nations Cup final.

Should the Flying Fijians defeat Japan then a New Zealand triumph by more than 15 will lift Mick Byrne’s team higher.

World rankings week beginning 16/09/2024

1 South Africa 93.58
2 Ireland 92.12
3 New Zealand 88.25
4 France 86.96
5 England 85.40
6 Scotland 82.82
7 Argentina 82.49
8 Italy 79.98
9 Australia 79.78
10 Fiji 78.43

READ MORE: Argentina v Springboks preview: Boks to go to the ‘gutters’ and emerge Rugby Championship victors in a thumping win