Latest news with #TheRugbyChampionship2025
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
World Rugby: Springboks' No 1 ranking under threat
World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for opening round of the Rugby Championship 2025 this weekend, and the Springboks – and their fans – will need to be on high alert. 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. Permutations: ADVERTISEMENT 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? 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.
IOL News
09-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Springboks hungry for more Rugby Championship glory
Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says the team is hungry for more success in the Rugby Championship ahead of their title-defence this year. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media The real test for the Springboks starts this weekend in Johannesburg when they take on Australia in the first round of the 2025 Rugby Championship. After strong performances with mixed teams in the mid-year Tests against Italy and Georgia, the world champions will head into the Southern Hemisphere competition with proper confidence. However, they will face a battle-hardened Wallabies side who ended their series against the British and Irish Lions on a high by winning the third Test. Yes, they lost the series to the touring team 2-1, but in each and every match they were competitive, and the Boks would've taken notice of how hungry the Aussies were. WHAT A TRY-SAVER FROM MARIKA KOROIBETE! 💥 What other moments will we see from him in #TheRugbyChampionship 2025? — TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) August 6, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Looking at South Africa's hold over the Wallabies at home, though, and the players at head coach Rassie Erasmus's disposal for the double Tests, it's difficult to see the defending Rugby Championship winners losing out to their visitors. Ellis Park (5.10 pm kick-off) will host the opening encounter and taking the Australians to altitude after a bruising battle with the Lions could just work in the favour of the Springboks. In the first four matches of the season, the Boks weren't really tested by the Barbarians, Italians and Georgians, but they will get that now from the Wallabies. After the home Tests, they'll face the All Blacks twice in New Zealand, before wrapping up the competition with matches against Argentina. The #Springboks have concluded their conditioning camp in Joburg as they now shift their focus to the Wallabies 🔭#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) August 8, 2025 Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu says they've had a productive camp over the last two weeks as they prepare to do battle with the Aussies. 'The camp was another eye-opener, and it will set us straight as to what we want to achieve in this Rugby Championship,' the talented rookie said. 'We worked so hard, and it just shows our coaching staff is motivated to see us do big things. We reciprocate that energy by working hard, and it becomes an enjoyable process at the end of the day. 'Last year we tasted what (success in) the Rugby Championship tasted like and that taste is still lingering. We want to taste it again. Pre-seasons like this is how to get that.' Canan Moodie is yet to taste defeat in a Springbok jersey ✅ These are the players with the best record who have played a minimum of 10 matches 👏#SSRugby | #TheRugbyChampionship — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 7, 2025
