World Rugby rankings: Springboks open up unassailable lead, England go third and dramatic weekend impacts World Cup draw
The World Rugby rankings following the latest November Tests.
The Springboks will hold onto the number one ranking for this week irrespective of what happens in their huge game against Ireland.
South Africa guaranteed their position at the summit following a 32-14 triumph over Italy, but that gap was then extended when England defeated the All Blacks.
New Zealand could have closed it to 0.25 heading into this weekend’s matches with a dominant victory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
At one stage that looked like a distinct possibility as they surged into a 12-0 lead through Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor tries, but England hit back.
The All Blacks scored just seven more points during the rest of the game – via Will Jordan’s score – with Ollie Lawrence, Sam Underhill, Fraser Dingwall and Tom Roebuck all going over for the hosts, securing a 33-19 triumph.
As a result, the Boks cannot be shifted from the number one spot even if they lose against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.
Scott Robertson’s men also have a game but they will be unable to close the gap given that they are against a struggling Wales side.
Battle for third
It is a similar story for the Red Rose, who managed to move up one place, above Ireland, with their triumph on Saturday, but cannot go any higher next week if the All Blacks, as very much expected, prove far too strong for the Welsh.
Andy Farrell’s men dropped below England due to their inability to gain any points in their game against the Wallabies, but the 46-19 win was a statement performance and they have the opportunity to return to the top three this weekend.
Latest World Rugby rankings: England displace Ireland after emphatic victory over the All Blacks
Below that top-four, countries are scrambling for World Cup draw seedings, including France, who must be wary of not succumbing to a heavy defeat to Australia.
That may appear unlikely, given the form of Joe Schmidt’s men, but the victory over Fiji was not enough to completely secure their top-six place for the World Cup draw.
The 34-21 success over the Pacific Islanders gave them some breathing room in fifth but Argentina are hot on their heels in sixth after an outstanding come-from-behind 33-24 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
It is a result which has ruled the Scots out of being one of the top seeds ahead of the World Cup draw with Gregor Townsend’s men having a lowly Tonga in their final November Test.
They will join Wales as one of the second seeds after Steve Tandy’s outfit finally managed to end their barren home streak with a dramatic 24-23 victory over Japan.
World Rugby rankings
Week beginning 17/11/2025
1 South Africa 93.06
2 New Zealand 90.33
3 England 89.09
4 Ireland 88.85
5 France 87.07
6 Argentina 85.30
7 Australia 81.69
8 Fiji 81.03
9 Scotland 80.22
10 Italy 78.98
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 74.23
13 Japan 72.58
14 Spain 69.12
15 Uruguay 68.52
16 USA 68.26
17 Samoa 66.94
18 Chile 66.72
19 Tonga 66.66
20 Portugal 64.89