Manie Libbok of South Africa reacts after the team’s defeat to Argentina in the the Rugby Championship 2024 match at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Argentina . (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)
Ireland will remain top of the world this weekend – even if South Africa clinch the Rugby Championship this weekend to add to their back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
World Rugby have confirmed that South Africa are unable to reclaim top spot in their rankings from Andy Farrell’s Six Nations.
A Boks’ victory over Argentina in Nelspruit will not have any impact on their rating due to the 7.47 points difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.
However, they also cannot fall from second place because New Zealand are also unable to improve their rating with victory over Australia. The All Blacks’ current rating is 9.38 points better than Australia’s before home weighting is factored in.
The Springboks begin their final fixture five points clear at the top of the table and will be champions for only the second time since the Pumas’ addition to the competition if they secure even a single bonus point on home soil.
Argentina, meanwhile, have to win with a try bonus point and ensure that their hosts do not take a losing bonus point.
But should the visitors secure the five-point swing they require, the title will be theirs regardless of points difference.
If two teams finish level on competition points, the higher-placed finisher is the one more successful in the meetings between the pair. As Argentina would, in this scenario, have beaten South Africa twice, they would finish top of the table.
Meanwhile, ahead of their WXV campaign, Ireland women could jump two places to fifth – a position they haven’t occupied since August 2017 – if they can beat New Zealand, depending on the margin and results for Scotland and Australia.