men’s
global
New Zealand’s All Blacks could head into the upcoming four-Test Greatest Rivalry Series (scheduled from August 22 to September 12) occupying the number one spot in the global standings.
The Springboks are on the verge of completing a consecutive twelve-month stint at the summit, having unseated the All Blacks last September. However, a defeat against Argentina in Buenos Aires this coming Saturday would allow New Zealand to reclaim the top position.
Rassie Erasmus’ team enters the fixture at Estadio José Amalfitani with a rating of 93.96 points, giving them a 1.68-point advantage over the All Blacks, who start their South African tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday evening.
This lead would be completely erased if they suffer an unprecedented defeat to the Pumas in Buenos Aires, which would cost them a minimum of two rating points—and three if the losing margin is greater than 15 points.
Three of the four victories Argentina has achieved over South Africa since their first meeting in 1993 were recorded on home soil—specifically in Salta, Mendoza, and most recently in Santiago del Estero during the 2024 season.
Should the Pumas win by 15 points or less, matching the style of their previous successes, South Africa’s adjusted rating of 91.96 points would slip below the All Blacks’ current mark of 92.28 points, while pushing Argentina up to sixth place.
A historic victory exceeding that margin would see the Pumas leapfrog not just Scotland but England as well, putting them in fifth place.
South Africa cannot drop lower than second, as even in the worst-case scenario, they would maintain a 2.88-point buffer over third-placed Ireland in the official standings.
A 13th victory for the Springboks in their last 15 matches against Argentina will have no impact on the ratings of either side, simply allowing South Africa to keep their 1.68-point advantage at the top.
Starting off the latest international window, Japan and Australia face each other in Osaka on Saturday morning in the first of the weekend’s two fixtures.
An eighth consecutive victory for the Wallabies over the Brave Blossoms in Les Kiss’ first match at the helm would not change their eighth-place ranking, since Argentina, the team directly above them, is too far ahead to be caught.
Japan must beat Australia by a margin of more than 15 points to move ahead of Fiji into ninth place, whereas a loss for the Brave Blossoms will drop them down two spots and push them out of the top 10.
Wales and Italy will each climb up one position, to 10th and 11th respectively, if Eddie Jones’ team suffers a defeat.
Latest World Rugby Men’s Standings – Top 10
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
