World Rugby Rankings: How the Springboks could lose top spot before All Blacks series
The Springboks face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
After a couple of weeks’ rest, international rugby returns this Saturday as Japan host Australia before Argentina take on world champions South Africa.
While New Zealand are in action on Friday night in Cape Town, their clash with club side the Stormers obviously does not count towards any World Rugby rankings points.
However, the All Blacks could still claim top spot on the table if Argentina shock the Springboks so the heat is on Rassie Erasmus’ men ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Tests.
A negative to Los Pumas would be South Africa’s fourth loss on Argentinian soil. Defeat by 15 points or less would see the visiting Boks drop from 93.96 rankings points to 91.96. If Argentina were to win by more than 15 points South Africa would finish the weekend on 90.96 points, which would be 1.32 points behind the All Blacks on 92.28.
A victory for the Springboks will not gain any rating points, which is a consequence of the 10.83 point differential between these two nations ahead of Saturday’s meeting.
Argentina will climb above Scotland into sixth place with victory while a win by more than 15 points in Buenos Aires is enough to also move above England in fifth place.
However, Los Pumas cannot fall from seventh as Australia are unable to gain enough points by defeating Japan at Hanazono Rugby Stadium to catch the South Americans.
Earlier on Saturday, Japan will require a triumph by more than 15 points over Les Kiss’ side to climb above Fiji into ninth place on the men’s World Rugby rankings ladder.
As mentioned, Australia will remain eighth whatever happens in Osaka as they cannot gain enough points to overtake Argentina. They also cannot drop below Fiji (ninth).
Meanwhile, Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms will fall two places to 12th on the table should they lose to the Wallabies this Saturday, with Wales and Italy the two beneficiaries.
Men’s Internationals
Japan (10) 76.42 v Australia (8) 81.61
Japan win by 15 points or less – Japan 77.94, Australia 80.09
Japan win by more than 15 points – Japan 78.70, Australia 79.33
Draw – Japan 76.94, Australia 81.09
Australia win by 15 points or less – Japan 75.94, Australia 82.09
Australia win by more than 15 points – Japan 75.70, Australia 82.33
Argentina (7) 83.13 v South Africa (1) 93.96
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 85.13, South Africa 91.96
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Argentina 86.13, South Africa 90.96
Draw – Argentina 84.13, South Africa 92.96
South Africa win by 15 points or less – Argentina 83.13, South Africa 93.96 (No change)
South Africa win by more than 15 points – Argentina 83.13, South Africa 93.96 (No change)
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World Rugby men’s rankings
1 South Africa 93.96
2 New Zealand 92.28
3 Ireland 88.08
4 France 87.43
5 England 85.68
6 Scotland 84.78
7 Argentina 83.13
8 Australia 81.61
9 Fiji 78.00
10 Japan 76.42
11 Wales 76.38
12 Italy 76.30
13 Georgia 73.94
14 USA 70.22
15 Portugal 69.39
16 Chile 66.94
17 Spain 66.83
18 Uruguay 65.75
19 Tonga 65.14
20 Samoa 64.73