How Bok Women can benefit from Asia Championship

SPOTLIGHT: While the Springbok Women will only be in action in June, the side could get a boost when it comes to the World Rugby Rankings.

The Boks Women could move to 11th and replace Japan, if the latter fail to beat Hong Kong China in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship title match.

Japan are another side unable to improve their rating with a victory over a lower-ranked opponent.

The South African side will be in action next month, when they defend their Rugby Africa title in Madagascar.

The Boks will face Uganda (June 7), Kenya (June 11) and Madagascar (June 15).

Meanwhile, at the top, Canada are guaranteed to finish the Pacific Four Series 2025 in second place in the rankings if they beat Australia in Brisbane on Friday.

#AUDIO: “The fact that I know those players and played with some others at the last tournament has made life easier for me.” #womeninsports #WomenInRugby @WomenBoks https://t.co/trUqPWO8Yq

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) May 21, 2025

This is because New Zealand are unable to improve their rating by beating the USA in Auckland as a result of the 16.69-point difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.

However, if Canada fail to win, then a victorious New Zealand will not only reclaim the Pacific Four Series title but will replace them in second place behind England.

A Canada loss means that a draw would also be enough to see the Black Ferns climb back to second.

Canada can only gain a maximum of 0.21 rating points for beating Australia, which also means the Wallaroos are safe in sixth, whatever happens down under.

However, victory will be enough to lift Australia above Ireland into fifth place, equalling the Wallaroos’ highest position since the rankings were introduced in February 2016.

New Zealand must lose by more than 15 points to drop below France into fourth.

However, even a win by that margin is not enough for the Women’s Eagles to improve on ninth place as they would still trail Italy by 0.18 points.