Springboks’ World No 1 Ranking Hangs in the Balance As All Blacks Close In at Ellis Park

• The Springboks head into a huge Ellis Park showdown with more than just bragging rights at stake against their fiercest rivals
• New Zealand are within striking distance of South Africa in the World Rugby rankings, adding another layer of tension to the highly anticipated clash
• The outcome in Johannesburg could have a significant impact on the rankings while setting the tone for a major chapter in the rivalry

The Springboks’ world No 1 ranking hangs in the balance when they face the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday, 22 August 2026. South Africa currently lead the World Rugby rankings on 93.96 points, with New Zealand second on 92.28. That leaves only 1.68 points separating the two rivals.

SA Rugby Magazine reports that New Zealand will return to No 1 if they beat South Africa. A win by one to 15 points would take the All Blacks to 93.45 points, while the Springboks would drop to 92.79.

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How the World Rugby rankings work

The system is based on a points exchange, rather than teams simply accumulating points for every victory. In simple terms, points move from one team to the other after a Test. The result, the strength of the opposition and the winning margin all influence the exchange.

That means beating a highly ranked opponent can be worth considerably more than defeating a lower-ranked side. A narrow win and a victory by more than 15 points can also produce different exchanges.

For Saturday’s Test, South Africa would gain 0.83 points for a win of one to 15 points, or 1.25 for a victory by 16 or more.

Full World Rugby top 10

The figures show the significance of the Ellis Park clash. Ireland, in third, are already 5.88 points behind New Zealand.

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The Springboks therefore have more than a Test victory at stake. They are also defending their position at the top of the international game.

What Springboks need to stay No 1

The Springboks can strengthen their position with victory. A one-to-15-point win would earn them 0.83 points, while a victory by 16 or more would add 1.25.

The stakes therefore extend beyond the scoreboard. Saturday’s result could decide who enters the next Test as the world’s top-ranked team.

South Africa and New Zealand are also the two highest-ranked teams heading into the opening match of the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

All Blacks tactics under scrutiny before Ellis Park Test

Briefly News previously reported that former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has raised concerns about the All Blacks’ approach ahead of Saturday’s Ellis Park Test.

Mallett believes New Zealand are willing to concede penalties rather than allow opponents to score from driving mauls. He has called for firm and consistent officiating when the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series gets underway.

Source: Briefly News