The Springboks’ No 1 world ranking will not be safe at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The world champions will surrender top spot if they lose to fifth-placed Scotland by more than 15 points and the No 2-ranked All Blacks beat Italy in Wellington.
A first-ever loss to the Azzurri will see New Zealand fall to third if Ireland beat Japan in Newcastle, Australia.
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Fourth-placed France can replace Ireland in third if they beat the No 8-ranked Wallabies and the Irish lose to Japan, providing one of the margins is by more than 15 points.
Japan will enter the top 10 for the first time since July 2023 if they win and Italy and Wales fail to beat New Zealand and Argentina, respectively.
Sixth-placed England could go as high as fourth with victory over Fiji, providing Scotland lose and France are beaten by more than 15 points.
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Seventh is possible for Fiji with a big win and a Wallabies defeat, but they can’t quite catch opponents England this weekend.
Scotland can lose the two places they gained for beating Argentina if they are beaten by the Boks, and England and Los Pumas win, the latter by more than 15 points. However, a win could take them to a new high with third or fourth possible.
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World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.94
2. New Zealand 90.74
3. Ireland 89.62
4. France 87.04
5. Scotland 84.41
6. England 83.91
7. Argentina 83.47
8. Australia 80.98
9. Fiji 79.83
10. Italy 77.76
11. Wales 76.37
12. Japan 75.97
13. Georgia 72.97
14. USA 69.10
15. Portugal 68.81
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking on the line at Loftus appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks’ No 1 world ranking will not be safe at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking on the line at Loftus appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
