Ireland’s 23-13 defeat to New Zealand last Friday night at the Aviva Stadium has seen them lose their place at number one in the world rankings and they will remain in third if South Africa beat Scotland at Murrayfield this afternoon.
The All Blacks’ win moved them above Ireland in the world rankings and Scott Robertson’s team would actually return to number one were South Africa to lose against Scotland. In that scenario, the Springboks would drop to third, with Ireland in second place.
The World Rugby rankings are only officially updated at midday on Monday but, as things stand, South Africa (91.77) are first, New Zealand (91.21) are second and Ireland (90.58) are third, and in the event of Rassie Erasmus’ side winning in Murrayfield, or indeed drawing, those rankings would remain in the same order.
Having beaten South Africa in Durban last July to claim first place, Ireland regained the number one ranking after the Springboks lost to Argentina in the penultimate round of the Rugby Championship. But South Africa can now stay in first place by beating Scotland.