New Zealand could send South Africa tumbling down the World Rugby rankings if the All Blacks claim a win over the Springboks at Ellis Park. A win of any kind in the Rugby Championship round three clash will see South Africa surrender top spot and New Zealand could surpass the Springboks on the rankings if they secure a famous win over Rassie Erasmus’ men.
Ahead of the weekend’s action, we run through the ranking permutations with Australia also able to leapfrog past Argentina. In the case that the All Blacks claim a victory of more than 15 points, New Zealand take one step closer to returning to the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2021.
A defeat to Ireland on 13 November 2021 saw the All Blacks surrender top spot, a position they have not returned to since. However, they will have to claim back-to-back wins in the Republic to secure top spot again as even a win of more than 15 points – which would be their biggest-ever at Ellis Park – will not be enough to replace South Africa. In the event that Robertson’s mean better the record 23-35 win at Ellis Park from 2022, then Ireland will move into first place with the Springboks crashing down to third and New Zealand moving into second.
A win by 15 points or less will see South Africa surrender top spot to Ireland but they would only fall to second place with New Zealand remaining third. Meanwhile, the clash at Ellis Park provides the opportunity for South Africa to increase their lead at the top of the standings. A win of 15 points or less would see their ratings points tally stand at 93.37 – creating a 1.25 rating point buffer over Ireland – while a victory of more than 15 points will see their lead extend to 1.38 rating points.
How the Rankings Could Change
The Springboks could face a significant drop in the World Rugby standings if the top-ranked team lose to the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday. A New Zealand win this week of any margin will see South Africa surrender their top spot on the global rankings. However, a loss by more than 15 points could cause the world champions to drop to third, with Ireland taking first place and the All Blacks moving up to second.
For the South Africans, victory on Saturday is crucial to maintaining their status. A win by 15 points or less would solidify their lead at the top, while a triumph by more than 15 points would extend their rankings points buffer over the Irish. The Kiwis, seeking to reclaim the No 1 spot for the first time since November 2021, must secure back-to-back wins in the Republic to overtake the Boks. Even a large victory won’t be enough to dethrone Rassie Erasmus’ charges unless Ireland also drops points.
Other Ranking Battles
Meanwhile, Australia has the chance to move up the rankings in their clash against Argentina. A win by more than 15 points could see them jump from ninth to seventh, while a smaller margin would see them move up one place.
Tonga have never won at Apia in the professional era but if they are able to do that, and win well in their opening match in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, they will overtake Samoa in the rankings. Samoa could fall by as many as three places to 16th in defeat.
Meanwhile, Canada will become the highest-ranked North American team for the first time in nearly eight years if they go and do something that they haven’t done since 2013 – beat the USA on American soil, as long as it is by a margin of more than 15 points.
A smaller margin of victory in Carson, California would still be enough to lift Canada above Romania into the top 20, a position they have not occupied since February 2019. But yet another defeat would see them drop below Chile into 22nd. Of the home teams, only USA can improve their position in victory. A win by more than 15 points would take the Men’s Eagles above Spain and into 18th place.
The Stakes are High
The first of two Tests between the traditional rivals in the Rugby Championship will be played at Ellis Park, and in Cape Town a week later. Following their victory when the two teams met in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, the Boks are looking to claim three wins in a row over the All Blacks for just the second time in the professional era, matching the record set in 2009. The match is set to be a thrilling encounter, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the World Rugby rankings.
The All Blacks will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign, and a win over the Springboks would be a great way to start their season. The Springboks, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their status as the world’s top team, and a win over the All Blacks would be a major boost for their confidence.
A Classic Rivalry
The rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks is one of the most intense in rugby, and this weekend’s clash is sure to be a fierce battle. Both teams are filled with world-class talent, and the match is sure to be a physical and tactical affair. Fans around the world will be tuning in to watch this epic clash, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the World Rugby rankings.
