The All Blacks could replace the Springboks as the world’s No 1-ranked team after the opening weekend of the Nations Championship.
The Boks cemented top spot on the World Rugby rankings after going unbeaten on their end-of-year tour to Europe in 2025.
However, that could change this Saturday, with the All Blacks in position to capitalise on any Springbok slip-up.
The Boks head into their clash against England at Ellis Park with a healthy 3.61-point advantage over second-placed New Zealand.
But that cushion would disappear if the All Blacks secure a convincing victory over France in Christchurch and the Boks suffer a heavy defeat.
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For the Boks to surrender top spot, England would have to win by at least 16 points at Ellis Park – matching or bettering the margin in the Wallabies’ shock 38-22 win in Johannesburg during last year’s Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks would need to beat a depleted France side, missing several frontline stars including scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, by more than 15 points.
MORE: Dupont pulls out of trip south
If both results materialise, New Zealand would climb to 90.945 ranking points, edging South Africa, who would drop to 90.941 – a margin of just 0.004 points.
History is firmly against England, who have never won at Ellis Park in the professional era and are ranked sixth after a poor Six Nations campaign in which they recorded just one victory.
Their only win at the famous Johannesburg venue came in 1972.
ALSO: Rennie keeps it simple for France
World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.94
2. New Zealand 90.33
3. Ireland 89.07
4. France 87.46
5. Argentina 84.97
6. England 83.91
7. Scotland 82.90
8. Australia 81.53
9. Fiji 81.14
10. Italy 79.64
11. Wales 75.07
12. Japan 74.09
13. Georgia 71.94
14. Portugal 69.64
15. Uruguay 69.19
2026 Nations Championship fixtures
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking on the line appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The All Blacks could replace the Springboks as the world’s No 1-ranked team after the opening weekend of the Nations Championship.
The post Boks’ No 1 ranking on the line appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
