A big win for the Springboks in the first of their three end-of-year Tests against Wales will see them regain the No 1 ranking. Photo: SA Rugby website
How the Springboks can REGAIN the No 1 ranking this weekend – EXPLAINER
A big win for the Springboks in the first of their three end-of-year Tests against Wales will see them regain the No 1 ranking.
A big win for the Springboks in the first of their three end-of-year Tests against Wales will see them regain the No 1 ranking. Photo: SA Rugby website
The All Blacks retook the coveted World Rugby No 1 ranking on Saturday when they beat Wales 54-16 in Cardiff.
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As it currently stands, the All Blacks hold a slender 0.23 point lead over the world champion Springboks who weren’t in action this past weekend.
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The All Blacks will take on Italy next, but short of them losing or drawing to the Azzurri (they won’t) no margin of victory for the All Blacks will see their points tally change due to the gap in the rankings between the two sides.
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However, a win for the Springboks in the first of their three end-of-year Tests against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff will see their points tally change.
However, a win by 15 or fewer points by Jacques Nienaber’s men will see them pick up just 0.21 points, leaving them an agonising 0.02 behind the All Blacks.
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A win by 16 or more points would be enough (0.31) to see the Springboks regain the No 1 ranking.
A draw or a narrow (1-15 point) defeat to Wales would, however, see the Springboks lose 0.79 or 1.79 points, respectively.
A heavy loss by 16 or more points and the Springboks will drop as many as 2.69 ranking points.
Kick-off in Cardiff is at 19:30 SA time.
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