Rassie Erasmus

World Rugby is reportedly struggling to find a suitable date and time for SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ misconduct hearing. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Rugby Championship ranking predictions: Springboks, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina

The 2019 Rugby Championship will conclude this weekend with two more matches to be played. South Africa could win the title and make moves in the World Rugby rankings. Here’s what you need to know.

Rassie Erasmus

World Rugby is reportedly struggling to find a suitable date and time for SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ misconduct hearing. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

It might be 17 years since the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup, but All Blacks skipper Kieran Read insisted Friday their arch-rivals have “fire in their belly” and can never be underestimated.

The last time Australia got their hands on the trans-Tasman silverware was in 2002, and few are expecting the long drought to be broken.

With the annual showdown reduced to two games instead of three due to the World Cup, the Wallabies need to win not just in Perth on Saturday but at fortress Eden Park in Auckland a week later to claim the trophy.

Also read: Rugby Championship 2019 – Fixtures and standings

The World Rugby rankings make for interesting reading, too. South Africa are likely to be the biggest movers this weekend, but New Zealand might also lose top spot.

Australia vs New Zealand: Ranking scenarios

New Zealand could lose top spot if they fail to win and Wales also beat England. But they could also strengthen their grip if results go their way elsewhere.

Australia can only improve their ranking if they win by more than 15 points and South Africa lose by the same margin in Argentina.

Here are the ranking points each team will gain or lose based on a number of results.

  • Australia win by 15 points or less – Australia 83.58 New Zealand 89.87
  • Australia win by more than 15 points – Australia 84.41 New Zealand 89.04
  • Draw – Australia 82.58 New Zealand 90.87
  • New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Australia 81.58 New Zealand 91.87
  • New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Australia 81.41, New Zealand 92.04

Argentina vs South Africa

The Springboks could leapfrog into third place, but they will have to win, hope England lose and hope that Ireland lose to Italy by more than 15 points.

South Africa could also lose a place in the rankings if they win and England win. The Boks will drop back to sixth if they lose by more than 15 points and Australia beat New Zealand by the same margin.

Argentina will climb above Fiji into ninth with victory, even if Fiji also beat Samoa. They will slip out of the top ten if they lose and Fiji and Japan both win.

Here are the ranking points each team will gain or lose based on a number of results.

  • Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 78.46, South Africa 84.65
  • Argentina win by more than 15 points – Argentina 79.29, South Africa 83.83
  • Draw – Argentina 77.46, South Africa 85.65
  • South Africa win by 15 points or less – Argentina 76.46, New Zealand 86.65
  • South Africa win by more than 15 points – Argentina 76.29, South Africa 86.83

All permutations via World Rugby. Additional reporting by AFP.