World Rugby rankings: Springboks could start Rugby World Cup as No 1 team – Here’s how

The Springboks are currently third in the World Rugby rankings, but could start the 2023 Rugby World Cup next month as the No 1 side in the world.

Here’s how.

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Nations competing at this year’s World Cup in France have one more warm-up match remaining.

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The Springboks play the All Blacks at Twickenham in London on Friday, 25 August in a blockbuster showdown that is expected to attract 80 000+ fans.

Kick-off is at 20:30 (SA time).

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Should the Springboks beat their arch-rivals by any scoreline, they will move to second place in the standings.

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Current top-ranked side Ireland face Samoa in their final match ahead of the World Cup 24 hours later.

Should they lose to their Oceania opponents, they will drop below South Africa, leaving the Springboks at No 1.

Perhaps an unlikely scenario, but stranger things have happened …

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TOP 10 IN THE LATEST WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS

Rank	Country	Points
1	Ireland	91.82
2	New Zealand	90.77
3	South Africa	89.37
4	France	89.22
5	Scotland	84.01
6	England	81.53
7	Argentina	80.86
8	Australia	79.87
9	Fiji	78.70
10	Wales	78.26