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South Africa will remain No.1 even if they're hammered this weekend
By Ian Cameron
South Africa will remain the No.1 side in the world, even if they are well beaten by Argentina at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this weekend, in the first of a two-match series between the two teams.
The Springboks, fresh from their series win over the British & Irish Lions, have held on to No.1 status despite not playing a single Test match in 2020. World Rugby say even if even a hammering by Los Pumas in this weekend's Rugby Championship fixture, it won't see their stock fall enough for the side to be overtaken by New Zealand.
"The Springboks are guaranteed to remain at the top of the rankings even if they are well beaten and New Zealand beat Australia by more than 15 points, although their lead could be cut to less than two points," say World Rugby, in a World Ranking document.
However, Jacques Nienaber's men can not gain any extra points, due to the gap between themselves and Mario Ledesma's side.
"South Africa will not gain any rating points for victory due to the 11.05 rating points between themselves and Argentina before home weighting is factored in," state World Rugby.
The All Blacks can only gain a maximum of 0.19 rating points in victory over the Wallabies, but they cannot "fall from their present position of second but they would only hold a fractional lead over Argentina and Australia, respectively, if Los Pumas beat South Africa by more than 15 points and the Wallabies beat the All Blacks by the same margin."
Meanwhile the Wallabies will move up to fourth if they win and could go as high as third if the margin is more than 15 points and Argentina fail to match that. Los Pumas will move up to third if they beat the Springboks by more than 15 points, equalling their best-ever position, which they last held in June 2008.
"Los Pumas will climb to fourth if they win by a smaller margin and Australia fail to win. Australia will be the lowest-ranked of the four Rugby Championship sides if they lose by more than 15 points, irrespective of how Argentina fare," conclude World Rugby.
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Latest Comments
Get world rugby to buy a few Islands in the Mediterranean. Name them Rugby Island #1, #2, #3 etc. All teams are based there all season and as the knockouts progress, losers go home for a few months rest. Sell the TV rights to any and all.
Have an open ballot/lottery each week to fly fans out to fill the stadiums. They get to enter the draw if they pay their taxes and avoid crime which would encourage good social engagement from rugby supporters as responsible citizens. The school kids get in the draw if they are applying themselves at school and reaching their potential.
Or maybe there is some magic way to prioritise both domestic rugby and international rugby by having the same players playing for 12 months of the year...
Go to commentsPerhaps he would have been better off going under the knife earlier, rather than travelling to Europe to hold tackle bags.
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