World Rugby: Springboks' No 1 ranking under threat
After remaining firmly ensconced at the top of the rankings this year, the Springboks will be fully aware that some close rivals are snapping at their heels.
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South Africa's number one ranking is at threat if they do not beat Australia in The Rugby Championship 2025 opener in Johannesburg.
A draw will mean that New Zealand have to beat Argentina later in the day to return to the summit for the first time since November 2021.
Defeat for the Springboks will mean New Zealand only need a draw in Cordoba to leapfrog the Springboks.
Ireland, in third, are not in action this weekend but can still benefit from the opening round of The Rugby Championship action if there are upsets.
They could jump back to number one, albeit only if both South Africa and New Zealand lose by more than 15 points. If only one of these were to happen, Ireland will still climb a place to second above that beaten side.
South Africa, though, will retain top spot if they beat Australia, despite the fact the world champions are unable to improve their rating due to the 10.70 points difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.
This is because New Zealand can only gain a maximum of 0.45 rating points for beating lower-ranked Argentina away and they currently trail South Africa by 0.72 points.
Argentina will oust Australia from sixth place – which would be enough for a Band 1 place come the RWC 2027 draw in December – if Australia are beaten and they avoid defeat against New Zealand.
A draw for Australia away to the world champions would have the same impact if Los Pumas are victorious over New Zealand for the first time on home soil.
This scenario can also happen if Australia end their 14-year barren spell on South Africa soil, providing the Wallabies winning margin is less than 15 points and Argentina's is more than 15 points.
Argentina cannot fall any lower than seventh this weekend even with a heavy loss to New Zealand, although only just as this would leave them only 0.04 rating points above Scotland in eighth.
WORLD RANKINGS AS IT STANDS FOR THE SPRINGBOKS
1. South Africa 92.78 2. New Zealand 92.06 3. Ireland 89.83 4. France 87.82 5. England 87.64 6. Australia 82.08 7. Argentina 82.05 8. Scotland 81.57 9. Fiji 80.50 10. Italy 77.77
Do you think there is any reason for the Boks to be worried?
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