As it stands, the Springboks would face France in the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham on 29 November.
The two teams lead the southern and northern standings respectively after three rounds of the tournament.
However, the Boks are only above the All Blacks on points difference (+81 to +51) with both teams having claimed a full haul of 15 log points from three bonus-point victories. South Africa beat England, Scotland and Wales in July, while New Zealand defeated France, Italy and Ireland.
In November, the Boks will travel to Europe to take on Italy, France and Ireland, with the All Blacks up against Scotland, Wales and England.
ALSO: Nations Championship confirms Bok strength
France have 12 log points after winning two of their three Tests in July, but are followed closely by Scotland (11), England and Ireland (both 10) who also recorded two victories but picked up fewer bonus points.
The final standings will decide opponents for the Nations Championship finals weekend at Twickenham from 27-29 November – first-placed northern nemisphere team versus first-placed southern hemisphere team, all the way through to sixth versus sixth.
Nations Championship fixtures
Round 4
Friday, 6 November
10:10pm Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 7 November
1:40pm: Italy vs South Africa, Estadio Camilo Cano, La Nucia
4:10pm: Scotland vs New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
6:40pm: Wales vs Japan, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Fiji, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Sunday, 8 November
5:10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham, London
WORLD RANKINGS: All Blacks close gap on Boks
Round 5
Friday, 13 November
10:10pm: France vs South Africa, Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 14 November
1:40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
4:10pm: Wales vs New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
6:40pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham, London
10:10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 15 November
5:10pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Round 6
Saturday, 21 November
4:10pm: Scotland vs Japan, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
4:10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham, London
6:40pm: Ireland vs South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
6:40pm: Italy vs Fiji, Stadio Friuli, Udine
10:10pm: Wales vs Australia, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France, Paris
Finals Weekend (Twickenham, London)
Friday, 27 November
6:40pm: Northern 6th vs Southern 6th
10:10pm: Northern 5th vs Southern 5th
Saturday, 28 November
3:10pm: Northern 4th vs Southern 4th
6:40pm: Northern 3rd vs Southern 3rd
Sunday, 29 November
3:10pm: Northern 2nd vs Southern 2nd
6:40pm: Northern 1st vs Southern 1st
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post State of Nations Championship: Boks, Les Bleus on top appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
As it stands, the Springboks would face France in the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham on 29 November.
The post State of Nations Championship: Boks, Les Bleus on top appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
