Updated Springboks 2027 RWC group based on World Rankings
The Springboks currently occupy top spot in the latest World Rugby Rankings.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is closing the gap in second with Ireland (third) and France (fourth) closely behind. England (fifth) and Australia (sixth) are the other sides currently rounding off the top six.
The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw is set to take place in December this year. So, all 24 nations will be striving to win as many games as possible to climb up the rankings to ensure 'easier' group stages.
The Springboks (South Africa), New Zealand (the All Blacks), Ireland and France are currently set to be one of the top seeds for the RWC draw in December. They occupy the traditional top seeds positions (the sides ranked first to fourth).
However, the 2027 RWC is set to have six groups. Meaning, there will be six top seeds.
As things stand, these sides will avoid each other in the group stages.
Here's where things get interesting… Australia are the host nation.
So, they are automatically placed into the top seeds irrespective of their final world rankings at the end of the year. This places more pressure on the likes of England (fifth), Argentina (seventh) and Scotland (eighth) who will all be trying to avoid the group of death.
The top six sides cannot face each other as they are going to be drawn from a different pot.
Ultimately, six pots of each consisting of four teams will be drawn. With one team per pot drawn to make up each group.
Therefore, as things stand the Springboks would be drawn alongside Argentina/ Scotland/ Fiji/Italy/Georgia/Wales.
They will be joined by Japan/Portugal/Spain/. As well as South America 1*/Samoa/Tonga/USA/Canada – three of these four will qualify. Whilst the fourth is set for a decisive qualifier against the South American runners-up.
Finally, Romania, Zimbabwe/ Hong Kong/ Namibia and the winner of the South American-Pacific play-off will be the final pot.
*The South Americans are currently fighting to join Argentina as the second South American side to qualify for the 2027 RWC. The Sudamérica Rugby Championship final is set to take place between Chile and Uruguay with the winner booking their spot in Australia.
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Pacific/Asain side will contest a South America/Pacific play-off against the runners up of the Sudamérica Rugby Championship. Meaning, the top three sides in the 2025 Pacific Nations cup, outside of Fiji, Japan will contest this decider.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Also, Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
16 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Loose forward Parker earns All Blacks call-up for Rugby Championship
Loose forward Simon Parker earned his first call-up to the All Blacks squad on Monday, while Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi returned to the fold for the Rugby Championship after missing the July series against France because of injury. Waikato Chiefs flanker Parker was the only uncapped player selected by coach Scott Robertson in the 36-man squad, though rookie prop Tevita Mafileo, scrumhalf Kyle Preston and utility back Leroy Carter were named as injury cover for the trip to Argentina. Parker will join a strong band of loose forwards with Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Sititi, Peter Lakai and Luke Jacobson. 'He's a big man, he's been incredibly consistent all year,' Robertson said of Parker. 'He's physical but he's really accurate. He's intimidating.'
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Why Springboks' title defence has become so much tougher
Last year, the Springboks mixed and matched with their selections and game plan, but were still able to secure resounding victories over the Wallabies (33-7 and 30-12), to start their 2024 Rugby Championship campaign. It was the perfect set of results at that time for the Springboks, while they then benefited from the fact that both games against the All Blacks were played – and won – in South Africa. Although the Springboks did stumble with a one-point loss to Argentina in Santiago, they finished the tournament with an emphatic 48-7 victory to clinch the Rugby Championship title for the first time in a full-round format. Yet, by all accounts, this season's Rugby Championship is going to be a whole lot tougher, and the Springboks best be prepared. Just a few weeks ago, many Springbok fans would have thought that victories over the Wallabies this season would once again be a virtual certainty. However, there is simply no doubt that Australia have improved markedly since last year, with their most recent victory over the British & Irish Lions proving what an incredible job coach Joe Schmidt has done with the team at his disposal. The Wallabies could so easily have also won the entire series if not for a controversial refereeing decision in the second Test, but there is no doubt that the Australian players would have been incredibly buoyed by their efforts against the Lions. Suddenly, it's very clear that the Springboks will need to be at their best to avoid any surprises against a battle-hardened Wallabies side, particularly considering that Rassie Erasmus' team have yet to be really challenged so far this year after 'comfortable' games against Italy and Georgia in July. After enjoying home-ground advantage against Australia at the start of the 2025 Rugby Championship, the Springboks will then need to navigate more challenging fixtures against arch-rivals New Zealand, who have just wrapped up a 3-0 clean-sweep over France in July. Besides the improvements the All Blacks seem to have made over the last year, they will also be excited by the prospect of facing the Springboks at their home fortresses in Auckland and Wellington. From there, the Springboks will welcome Argentina to Durban before finishing the tournament against the same opposition in London, where this neutral venue could add an air of unpredictability to proceedings. All in all, it looks sure to be a far more challenging Rugby Championship for the Springboks this season, and there will be no guarantees or room for error. REMINDER OF THE REMAINING SCHEDULE FOR 2025: 16 August: vs Australia, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10 . . 23 August: vs Australia, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10 . . 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05 . . 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05 . . 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10 . . 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00 . . 1 November: vs Japan, Brighton. Kick off: TBD. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: 22:10. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: 14:40 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Springbok opens up on devastating drugs ban
As far as breakthrough Springbok seasons go, very few are as memorable as that of Aphiwe Dyantyi. After scoring a superb try on debut against England on 9 June 2018, it was his incredible two-try heroics against the All Blacks in Wellington later that season that suddenly made him a household name. In his first year of Test rugby, Dyantyi scored six tries in 13 Tests, and was named the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year at the end of 2018. Yet, there was a bombshell to come. In July 2019, Dyantyi tested positively for metandienone, methyltestosterone and LGD-4033, three substances that were all on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list. At the time, Dyantyi was doing everything in his power to recover from injury and hopefully book his place in the 2019 World Cup. Instead, he ultimately received – and served – a four-year ban from all rugby in a devastating blow to his career. Dyantyi has very rarely spoken publicly about this experience, but he recently sat down another former Springbok, Gcobani Bobo, to share his truth. After receiving the devastating news, Dyantyi admits he went home and was ready to give up on the game. 'I couldn't watch any rugby, or any of the games (at the 2019 World Cup), except the final,' he shares. 'When I was at home, I was dealing with a lot of demons, and for me to even get out of the house (was difficult).' Dyantyi goes on to explain how he was completely shocked when he received the news of the positive test, but ultimately he had no option to accept his fate and attempt to find new purpose in his life. The talented outside back has tried to revive his career since 2013, having started his 'comeback' at the Sharks before moving to the Bulls, but it has been clear how difficult it is for him to perform at the required level after four years on the sidelines. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS STORY? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
