The Springboks will put top spot in the World Rugby rankings on the line against Italy in Turin on Saturday, while France risk an eight-year low in Lyon.
Defeat will see Rassie Erasmus’ men surrender their No 1 status if the loss is paired with an All Blacks victory or draw at Murrayfield.
Due to the 14.79-point differential between the teams, the Boks cannot improve their rating with a victory over the Azzurri.
South Africa cannot fall lower than second if they suffer just a second-ever defeat to Italy – who could jump two places into ninth if they win, moving ahead of Wales and a beaten Fiji.
The Azzurri will remain in 11th position in defeat even if Japan beat Wales in Cardiff with the latter two nations simply swapping positions.
JASPER: Boks won’t underestimate Italy
Dave Rennie’s All Blacks will return to the top of the rankings if a Springbok defeat in Turin is paired with New Zealand avoiding defeat at Murrayfield. The All Blacks have never lost to Scotland but if that changes on Saturday, New Zealand cannot drop below their current second-place ranking.
If Gregor Townsend’s men create history, they can equal their all-time high of fifth if England draw with the Wallabies on Sunday.
The Scots could rise as high as third in the rankings, but that would require Ireland, France and England all to lose.
SUPERBRU: Boks bulldoze Italy, All Blacks outclass Scots
Elsewhere, France will replace Ireland in third if they beat Fiji and Argentina are victorious in Dublin. However, Les Bleus could fall as low as eighth for the first time since October 2019 if beaten, depending on the margin and other results.
Ireland will drop two spots into fifth in defeat if France and England both win.
Australia could also end the weekend in third if they can cause an upset on Sunday and other results go in their favour – this would be the Wallabies’ highest position since November 2021.
A win by more than 15 points for Argentina in Dublin paired with an England loss to Australia by a similar margin could see England drop as many as three places to eight.
Wales can move up one place to ninth if they win by more than 15 points and Fiji lose to France.
AFRICA PICKS: Nations Championship betting odds
World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.09
2. New Zealand 92.27
3. Ireland 88.08
4. France 87.43
5. England 85.68
6. Scotland 84.78
7. Australia 84.43
8. Argentina 82.24
9. Fiji 77.85
10. Wales 76.38
11. Italy 76.30
12. Japan 76.23
13. Georgia 73.94
14. Portugal 69.39
15. USA 67.58
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking at risk appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks will put top spot in the World Rugby rankings on the line against Italy in Turin on Saturday, while France risk an eight-year low in Lyon.
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking at risk appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
