World Cup draw: Who can all end in Boks' pool?
SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are in a good space ahead of the 2027 World Cup draw, but could find themselves in a tricky pool as things stand in the world rankings.
Following England’s 33-19 win over New Zealand, the All Blacks lost 1.03 ranking points but remain second in the standings.
South Africa holds a 2.73-point lead over the All Blacks in top spot and 4.21 points over fourth-placed Ireland.
Ireland could increase their ranking points with a win over South Africa this weekend, but it’s unlikely that the Boks will lose their top spot should they go down to their ‘bogey’ outfit, unless it’s by a substantial margin.
Two Six Nations and one Rugby Championship side find themselves in Band Two, which includes the hosts Australia.
The teams in Band One are set in stone, as the gap between Australia and Argentina (3.61 points) is too big ahead of the penultimate week (final for some) of the Nations Series.
One of the Wallabies (seventh), Scotland (ninth), and Wales (12th) could potentially end up in a pool of death with either South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France or Argentina, who make up Band One of the draw.
Japan (13th), who are in Band Three, could meet South Africa in a World Cup pool match for a second time since their 2015 heroics in Brighton, whilst Samoa (17th), who will play their World Cup qualifier decider on Tuesday against Belgium (22nd), could be drawn alongside anyone in the top six.
Latest World Rugby Rankings:
1 South Africa 93.06
2 New Zealand 90.33 (-1.03)
3 England 89.09 (↑1) (+1.03)
4 Ireland 88.85 (↓1)
5 France 87.07 (+0.12)
6 Argentina 85.30 (+0.99)
7 Australia 81.69
8 Fiji 81.03 (↑1) (-0.12)
9 Scotland 80.22 (↓1) (-0.99)
10 Italy 78.98
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 74.23 (+0.67)
13 Japan 72.58 (-0.67)
14 Spain 69.12
15 Uruguay 68.52
16 USA 68.26 (+0.86)
17 Samoa 66.94
18 Chile 66.72
19 Tonga 66.66
20 Portugal 64.89 (+0.37)
21 Romania 62.16 (-0.86)
22 Belgium 61.81 (+0.03)
23 Hong Kong China 59.61 (-0.37)
24 Canada 58.85
