World Rugby rankings: All Blacks put more than just the Eden Park record on the line against Springboks
World Rankings and an image of All Blacks star Jordie Barrett in action against the Springboks.
Ahead of the weekend’s international rugby action, we take a look at how the World Rugby rankings can be impacted.
This weekend sees the top-ranked team in the world, New Zealand, host the second-ranked nation, South Africa, in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter at Eden Park.
Prior to the Auckland extravaganza, the Wallabies host Los Pumas in Townsville to kick start Round Three of the Rugby Championship action, while the Pacific Nations Cup and a Sud Americano clash complete a glorious weekend of men’s Test rugby.
So without further ado, and with the help of World Rugby, here are the weekend’s ranking permutations.
The permutations
For the Springboks to return to the summit of the World Rugby rankings, they must achieve what only themselves and the British and Irish Lions have done since France in 1994 and avoid defeat at Eden Park.
A stalemate would put South Africa 0.03 rating points ahead of New Zealand, who put their 50-test unbeaten record at the iconic venue on the line.
A first defeat at their fortress in 31 years would see the All Blacks slip two places with Rassie Erasmus’ men return to the top of the rankings, a position they surrendered in defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park last month.
On the flipside, a victory of any kind for New Zealand would see South Africa swap places with Ireland, the former dropping to third on the rankings, but a win of more than 15 points would see the All Blacks open up a 1.83 point advantage over the latter.
Meanwhile, the number six ranking in the world is on the line when Australia and Argentina collide in Townsville. The Wallabies cannot improve on their current ranking with a win as there is too much of a gap between them and fifth-place England. However, the loser on Saturday will be ranked seventh. In the event of a draw, neither team will move in the rankings, but Argentina will gain 0.45 rating points, with Australia losing the same amount.
If Los Pumas fail to go back-to-back in the Rugby Championship, having beaten the All Blacks in round two, they will remain in seventh position regardless of the margin of defeat.
Elsewhere, Fiji and Japan are unable to improve their positions in the rankings with victories over Samoa and USA, respectively, while the same is true for Uruguay, who take on Chile.
More importantly, though, for Uruguay is the opportunity to secure a place at Rugby World Cup 2027. They head into the match with a 12-point lead over Chile, and win on aggregate would secure qualification for the tournament in Australia.
Chile can reach a new high of 19th but only if they win by more than 15 points, a margin that would be enough to qualify for RWC 2027. They could go to 18th if the USA lose to Tonga by the same margin in Sacramento.
The Americans can move above Tonga into 17th if they beat Japan on home soil and all the other results go according to the formbook. However, defeat will see them drop below Portugal.
If Samoa beats Fiji by more than 15 points in New Zealand, they will be rewarded with a one-place gain, replacing Japan in 13th; a narrower margin of victory will be sufficient if Japan fail to win.
All Blacks and Springboks snub World Rugby guideline for Eden Park epic
AUSTRALIA (6) 84.85 v ARGENTINA (7) 83.40
Australia win by 15 points or less – Australia 85.40, Argentina 82.84
Australia win by more than 15 points – Australia 85.68, Argentina 82.56
Draw – Australia 84.40, Argentina 83.84
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Australia 83.40, Argentina 84.84
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Australia 82.68, Argentina 85.56
NEW ZEALAND (1) 90.72 v SOUTH AFRICA (2) 90.01
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 91.35, South Africa 89.38
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 91.66, South Africa 89.06
Draw – New Zealand 90.01, South Africa 90.72
South Africa win by 15 points or less – New Zealand 89.35, South Africa 91.38
South Africa win by more than 15 points – New Zealand 88.66, South Africa 92.06
SAMOA (14) 71.08 v FIJI (9) 80.50
Samoa win by 15 points or less – Samoa 72.72, Fiji 78.86
Samoa win by more than 15 points – Samoa 73.55, Fiji 78.04
Draw – Samoa 71.72, Fiji 79.86
Fiji win by 15 points or less – Samoa 70.72, Fiji 80.86
Fiji win by more than 15 points – Samoa 70.55, Fiji 81.04
USA (18) 66.68 v JAPAN (13) 72.29
USA win by 15 points or less – USA 67.94, Japan 71.03
USA win by more than 15 points – USA 68.57, Japan 70.40
Draw – USA 66.94, Japan 72.03
Japan win by 15 points or less – USA 65.94, Japan 73.03
Japan win by more than 15 points – USA 65.57, Japan 73.40
URUGUAY (16) 68.45 v CHILE (20) 62.90
Uruguay win by 15 points or less – Uruguay 68.59, Chile 62.76
Uruguay win by more than 15 points – Uruguay 68.67, Chile 62.68
Draw – Uruguay 67.59, Chile 63.76
Chile win by 15 points or less – Uruguay 66.59, Chile 64.76
Chile win by more than 15 points – Uruguay 65.67, Chile 65.68
Latest World Rugby rankings
As of 05/09/2025
1 New Zealand 90.72
2 South Africa 90.01
3 Ireland 89.83
4 France 87.82
5 England 87.64
6 Australia 84.85
7 Argentina 83.40
8 Scotland 81.57
9 Fiji 80.50
10 Italy 77.77
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 74.05
13 Japan 72.29
14 Samoa 71.08
15 Spain 69.12
16 Uruguay 68.45
17 Tonga 66.87
18 USA 66.68
19 Portugal 66.44
20 Chile 62.90
