The Springboks have nothing to gain in the World Rugby rankings from Saturday’s Test against Los Pumas, but could surrender top spot to the All Blacks with a defeat in Argentina.
South Africa’s 10.83-point buffer over Argentina means victory at Estadio José Amalfitani won’t add to the world champions’ tally.
A loss would, dropping the Boks to 91.96 points, or as low as 90.96 with a margin beyond 15 points, handing New Zealand top spot on 92.28.
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The All Blacks are in action Friday night against the Stormers in Cape Town, a fixture that carries no rankings weight. The clash in Buenos Aires precedes the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry four-Test series between the Boks and Kiwis from 22 August to 12 September.
A win for Argentina would lift them above Scotland into sixth, with a margin over 15 points enough to also leapfrog England into fifth. Los Pumas can’t slip from seventh regardless, since the eight-placed Wallabies have no path to catching them by beating Japan in Osaka on Saturday.
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The Brave Blossoms need a win by more than 15 points to move above Fiji into ninth, while Australia stay put no matter the result, unable to close on Argentina above them or slide below Fiji (ninth).
A loss for Eddie Jones’ Japan would drop them two spots to 12th.
World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.96
2. New Zealand 92.28
3. Ireland 88.08
4. France 87.43
5. England 85.68
6. Scotland 84.78
7. Argentina 83.13
8. Australia 81.61
9. Fiji 78.00
10. Japan 76.42
11. Wales 76.38
12. Italy 76.30
13. Georgia 73.94
14. USA 70.22
15. Portugal 69.39
Photo: @Springboks/X
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