World Rugby rankings: Springboks and All Blacks battle for top spot while mouth-watering weekend set to impact Rugby World Cup

It will once again be a battle for top spot in the World Rugby rankings in a mouth-watering weekend of November internationals.

In the opening round of the end-of-year series last Saturday, three teams went into it with a chance of claiming top spot, but Ireland are now out of the reckoning following their loss to the All Blacks.

That means southern hemisphere giants New Zealand and South Africa will be vying for a place at the summit, with Scott Robertson’s men having a more realistic chance of usurping their arch-rivals this weekend.

Irrespective of what the All Blacks did in Chicago, the Springboks would retain their place at the top by overcoming Japan, and they did that convincingly by claiming a 61-7 triumph.

However, this time around they have to fend off the attentions of France, who will be out for revenge after their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Boks.

Fabien Galthie’s side present a very real threat to South Africa’s position atop the standings and the visitors will likely have to avoid defeat to remain there.

All Blacks unbeaten against Scotland

That is, of course, if New Zealand manage to get the job done in Murrayfield. History suggests that it will be a comfortable afternoon for Robertson’s charges having never lost to Scotland, but a few teams have upset the All Blacks over the past few years.

The Scots will be hoping to add their name to the list, with a win ending the Kiwis’ chances of being number one on Monday.

Should the All Blacks emerge triumphant in Edinburgh, though, a defeat of any kind for the Springboks would drop them down to second.

If both suffer a loss then the Boks will stay at the summit, but a reversal will have bigger consequences for New Zealand, who could slip behind both France and Ireland.

A heavy defeat to Scotland, combined with any sort of win for the French and Irish, would see them drop down to fourth.

World Rugby rankings: How the All Blacks, Springboks and England’s wins impacted the standings

They would still be ahead of England, however, who cannot go any higher in the rankings and will move down a place if Ireland and Les Bleus overcome Japan and South Africa, respectively.

That is because they will only earn a maximum of 0.02 for defeating Fiji by more than 15 points this weekend.

Steve Borthwick’s men currently remain relatively safe in the race for the top six ahead of the Rugby World Cup draw in December, but the Flying Fijians could boost their own chances.

Several teams are battling for sixth spot, which would put them among the top seeds, but realistically it is between four nations, from Argentina (83.82, who currently reside there) to the Pacific Islanders down in ninth (81.16)

With those sides all in action this weekend, this round of games could therefore have huge ramifications ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

IRELAND (3) 88.85 v JAPAN (13) 73.61

Ireland win by 15 points or less – Ireland 88.85, Japan 73.25 (No change)
Ireland win by more than 15 points – Ireland 88.85, Japan 73.25 (No change)
Draw – Ireland 87.85, Japan 74.25
Japan win by 15 points or less – Ireland 86.85, Japan 75.25
Japan win by more than 15 points – Ireland 85.85, Japan 76.25

ENGLAND (4) 88.04 v FIJI (9) 81.16

England win by 15 points or less – England 88.05, Fiji 81.15
England win by more than 15 points – England 88.06, Fiji 81.15
Draw – England 87.05, Fiji 82.15
Fiji win by 15 points or less – England 86.05, Fiji 83.15
Fiji win by more than 15 points – England 85.06, Fiji 84.15

ITALY (10) 77.77 v AUSTRALIA (7) 82.90

Italy win by 15 points or less – Italy 78.98, Australia 81.69
Italy win by more than 15 points – Italy 79.59, Australia 81.08
Draw – Italy 77.98, Australia 82.69
Australia win by 15 points or less – Italy 76.98, Australia 83.69
Australia win by more than 15 points – Italy 76.59, Australia 84.08

SCOTLAND (8) 81.57 v NEW ZEALAND (2) 91.00

Scotland win by 15 points or less – Scotland 83.21, New Zealand 89.35
Scotland win by more than 15 points – Scotland 84.03, New Zealand 88.53
Draw – Scotland 82.21 New Zealand, 90.35
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Scotland 81.21, New Zealand 91.35
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Scotland 81.03, New Zealand 91.53

FRANCE (5) 87.82 v SOUTH AFRICA (1) 92.20

France win by 15 points or less – France 88.95, South Africa 91.06
France win by more than 15 points – France 89.52, South Africa 90.49
Draw – France 87.95, South Africa 92.06
South Africa win by 15 points or less – France 86.95, South Africa 93.06
South Africa win by more than 15 points – France 86.52, South Africa 93.49

WALES (12) 74.05 v ARGENTINA (6) 83.82

Wales win by 15 points or less – Wales 75.73, Argentina 82.14
Wales win by more than 15 points – Wales 76.57, Argentina 81.30
Draw – Wales 74.73, Argentina 93.49
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Wales 73.73, Argentina 84.14
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Wales 73.57, Argentina 84.30

World Rugby rankings

On 07/11/2025

1 South Africa 92.20
2 New Zealand 91.00
3 Ireland 88.85
4 England 88.04
5 France 87.82
6 Argentina 83.82
7 Australia 82.90
8 Scotland 81.57
9 Fiji 81.16
10 Italy 77.77
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 74.05
13 Japan 73.25
14 Spain 69.12
15 USA 67.40
16 Samoa 66.94
17 Chile 66.72
18 Tonga 66.66
19 Uruguay 66.59
20 Portugal 66.44

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