World Rugby rankings: All Blacks target top spot as Springboks aim to avoid embarrassment
The Latest World Rugby Rankings and an image of Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Ahead of a full weekend of international matches, we preview how the World Rugby rankings can be impacted with the Springboks’ top spot on the line.
Rassie Erasmus’ men tackle an inexperienced Italy team at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon in their first official Test match of the year.
World ranking permutations
South Africa head into the new international season ranked in top spot but a defeat at the home of the Bulls could see three teams replace them on top of the rankings.
The Boks have 92.78 rating points but their 2.42-point cushion over the All Blacks will be eradicated in the event of a defeat. A loss of any kind to the Azzurri, which would be only the second time Italy have ever beaten South Africa, will result in a drop from the top.
If that does occur, they will be replaced by whoever emerges victorious in the first Test match between New Zealand and France, but a historic win over the Boks in South Africa may not result in an improved ranking for Italy unless it is accompanied by Fiji losing to Australia in Newcastle.
If the Wallabies are to fall to a defeat at the hands of the Fijians, the margin of victory for the Pacific Islanders would need to be by more than 15 points for Italy to move into ninth spot, with Australia dropping to tenth.
Meanwhile, if the Boks are to win their opening game of the year, they will receive no improvement in their rating points due to Italy being significantly lower on the rankings than them, and the same is true for Ireland, who take on Georgia.
France head coach Fabien Galthie has taken an inexperienced squad to New Zealand, but if they upset the odds and knock over the All Blacks, they will condemn their hosts to a double ranking fall into fourth position.
Les Bleus will not drop from fourth place in defeat as Argentina cannot make up enough ground even if the latter beats England by more than 15 points and the former loses by the same margin.
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However, England can move up the rankings into the top five if Steve Borthwick’s side avoid defeat.
Australia also cannot improve their ranking with a victory over Fiji, regardless of the margin, as Scotland holds too much of a buffer in seventh position, with Gregor Townsend’s men also taking on the Maori All Blacks in a match that will not impact their ranking.
Japan on the cusp of a first
History awaits Eddie Jones’ Japan this weekend as they could move ahead of Wales in the rankings for the first time ever with a victory over Matt Sherratt’s team. An 18th consecutive Test defeat for the Welsh would see them fall another two places to a new low of 14th, with Japan and Samoa the beneficiaries.
Wales could move up the rankings, by one spot, provided that they defeat Japan by more than 15 points and that result is paired with Ireland beating Georgia. Meanwhile, a maiden win over Ireland in Tbilisi would not result in a move up the rankings for Georgia.
JAPAN (13) 72.95 v WALES (12) 73.39
Japan win by 15 points or less – Japan 73.70, Wales 72.65
Japan win by more than 15 points – Japan 74.07, Wales 72.27
Draw – Japan 72.70, Wales 73.65
Wales win by 15 points or less – Japan 71.70, Wales 74.65
Wales win by more than 15 points – Japan 71.07, Wales 75.27
NEW ZEALAND (2) 90.36 v FRANCE (4) 89.51
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 90.98, France 88.90
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 91.29, France 88.59
Draw – New Zealand 89.98, France 89.90
France win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 88.98, France 90.90
France win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 88.29, France 91.59
SOUTH AFRICA (1) 92.78 v ITALY (10) 77.77
South Africa win by 15 points or less – South Africa 92.78, Italy 77.77 (No change)
South Africa win by more than 15 points – South Africa 92.78, Italy 77.77 (No change)
Draw – South Africa 91.78, Italy 78.77
Italy win by 15 points or less – South Africa 90.78, Italy 79.77
Italy win by more than 15 points – South Africa 89.78, Italy 80.77
ARGENTINA (5) 84.97 v ENGLAND (6) 84.73
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 85.64, England 84.05
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Argentina 85.98, England 83.72
Draw – Argentina 84.64, England 85.05
England win by 15 points or less – Argentina 83.64, England 86.05
England win by more than 15 points – Argentina 82.98, England 86.72
GEORGIA (11) 74.69 v IRELAND (3) 89.83
Georgia win by 15 points or less – Georgia 76.69, Ireland 87.83
Georgia win by more than 15 points – Georgia 77.69, Ireland 86.83
Draw – Georgia 75.69, Ireland 88.83
Ireland win by 15 points or less – Georgia 74.69, Ireland 89.83 (No change)
Ireland win by more than 15 points – Georgia 74.69, Ireland 89.83 (No change)
CHILE (21) 61.72 v ROMANIA (20) 64.61
Chile win by 15 points or less – Chile 62.71, Romania 63.62
Chile win by more than 15 points – Chile 63.20, Romania 63.13
Draw – Chile 61.71, Romania 64.62
Romania win by 15 points or less – Chile 60.71, Romania 65.62
Romania win by more than 15 points – Chile 60.20, Romania 66.13
USA (15) 70.02 v BELGIUM (22) 59.98
USA win by 15 points or less – USA 70.02, Belgium 59.98 (No change)
USA win by more than 15 points – USA 70.02, Belgium 59.98 (No change)
Draw – USA 69.02, Belgium 60.98
Belgium win by 15 points or less – USA 68.02, Belgium 61.98
Belgium win by more than 15 points – USA 67.02, Belgium 62.98
AUSTRALIA (8) 81.52 v FIJI (9) 80.07
Australia win by 15 points or less – Australia 82.08, Fiji 79.52
Australia win by more than 15 points – Australia 82.36, Fiji 79.24
Draw – Australia 81.08, Fiji 80.52
Fiji win by 15 points or less – Australia 80.08, Fiji 81.52
Fiji win by more than 15 points – Australia 79.36, Fiji 82.24
Current World Rugby rankings (As of 30/06/2025)
1 South Africa 92.78
2 New Zealand 90.36
3 Ireland 89.83
4 France 89.51
5 Argentina 84.97
6 England 84.73
7 Scotland 82.36
8 Australia 81.52
9 Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 77.77
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 73.39
13 Japan 72.95
14 Samoa 72.68
15 USA 70.02
16 Portugal 68.30
17 Spain 67.34
18 Uruguay 67.06
19 Tonga 65.46
20 Romania 62.76
