Springboks Stand to Lose Everything in High-Stakes Battle
The Springboks are facing a critical match against Japan this Saturday at Wembley. While a victory will secure their top position, it won’t earn them any World Rugby ranking points. The current points differential between South Africa and Japan stands at 18.95, preventing the awarding of points regardless of the game’s outcome.
Current Rankings and Potential Scenarios
As it stands, South Africa holds the No. 1 ranking with 92.20 points. They are safe from losing this designation unless they suffer a defeat against Japan. In such a case, the winning team from the match between New Zealand and Ireland, set to occur in Chicago, would likely take over as the new No. 1.
- South Africa: 92.20 points
- New Zealand: 90.00 points
- Ireland: 89.83 points
- France: 87.82 points
- England: 87.64 points
- Argentina: 83.82 points
- Australia: 83.30 points
- Scotland: 81.57 points
- Fiji: 81.16 points
- Italy: 77.77 points
- Georgia: 74.69 points
- Wales: 74.05 points
- Japan: 73.25 points
- Spain: 69.12 points
- USA: 67.40 points
Impact of Match Outcomes
If Japan manages to draw against the Springboks, they will advance to a higher tier for the 2027 World Cup draw. This would push Wales out of the top 12 rankings. A win for Japan would elevate them to the 11th position, resulting in Georgia dropping down in the rankings.
The Irish team aims to reclaim their position in the rankings by defeating the All Blacks. A win for Ireland would shift them into the second position, reinforcing their competitive status.
Other Key Match Outcomes
Australia also has a chance to move up in the rankings. A victory against England could place them above both England and Argentina, potentially landing them in fifth position.
England, on the other hand, seeks to improve their standing further. A win against Australia would elevate them to fourth place, significantly impacting the rankings for both teams.
The matchups this weekend are set to be crucial not only for individual teams but also for the overall standings in World Rugby. Teams are eager to secure their positions ahead of the upcoming World Cup, emphasizing the high stakes of these fixtures.
