World Rugby rankings: What the Springboks need to regain top spot as All Blacks target major lead
The All Blacks can extend their lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings with a win, but could also slip back down to second if they lose
The World Rugby rankings could be set for a major shake-up this weekend, with two Tests in the Southern Hemisphere.
For the first time in a long while, the Springboks head into the weekend sat second in the rankings after the All Blacks overtook them with a 33-16 victory at Ellis Park last time out. That win saw Dave Rennie’s side move up to 94.03 points in the rankings table, 1.82 points above Rassie Erasmus’ charges on 92.21.
Elsewhere, Argentina and Australia are set to meet in the first of their two-Test series, and will be fighting it out for seventh place in the rankings. The sides are currently separated by just 0.46 points heading into the Test at Estadio 23 de Agosto.
World Rugby rankings permutations: Springboks v All Blacks and Argentina v Australia
At the top of the World Rugby rankings, there could be further changes depending on the outcome of Test Two of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
A win of any kind for the Springboks would see them leapfrog the All Blacks to the top of the tree, gaining 1.18 points in the process. If they win by more than 15, that tally goes up to 1.77.
However, the All Blacks would also extend their lead at the top of the table should they take a victory and a 2-0 lead in the series. If that victory comes by 15 points or less, they also gain 0.82 points, while a win by more than 15 sees them gain 1.23 points.
In the event of a draw, the Boks would gain 0.18 points and the All Blacks lose the same number.
Neither of the sides can fall lower than second, though.
In South America, a win for Argentina by 15 points or less would see them gain 0.95, but should they win by more than that they would earn 1.43 points.
However, if Australia claim a victory, they gain 1.04 rankings points, which moves up to 1.57 if the victory comes by more than 15 points.
Again, neither side can fall lower than eighth in the table, with ninth-placed Fiji trailing behind on 79.00 ranking points.
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South Africa (2) 92.21 v New Zealand (1) 94.03
South Africa win by 15 points or less – South Africa 93.39, New Zealand 92.85
South Africa win by more than 15 points – South Africa 93.98, New Zealand 92.26
Draw – South Africa 92.39, New Zealand 93.85
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – South Africa 91.39, New Zealand 94.85
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – South Africa 90.98, New Zealand 95.26
Argentina (7) 83.13 v Australia (8) 82.67
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 84.08, Australia 81.71
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Argentina 84.56, Australia 81.24
Draw – Argentina 83.08, Australia 82.71
Australia win by 15 points or less – Argentina 82.08, Australia 83.71
Australia win by more than 15 points – Argentina 81.56, Australia 84.24
Latest World Rugby rankings
1 New Zealand 94.03
2 South Africa 92.21
3 Ireland 88.08
4 France 87.43
5 England 85.68
6 Scotland 84.78
7 Argentina 83.13
8 Australia 82.67
9 Fiji 78.00
10 Wales 76.38
11 Italy 76.30
12 Japan 75.36
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
