World Rugby rankings: All Blacks can end three-and-a-half year drought as Springboks’ top spot under threat

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New Zealand could surpass South Africa at the summit of the World Rugby rankings this weekend, in the event of history being made.

The Springboks host Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday, and in the event that Lelos avoid defeat, the All Blacks could return to the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2021.

All Blacks return to the top?

Scott Robertson’s side would have needed to have defeated France in their third and final Test earlier in the day for this to occur.

If the Boks do overcome the threat of a historic defeat to the serial Rugby Europe Championship winners, then New Zealand could still close the gap at the top of the rankings as South Africa will earn no rating points, regardless of the margin of victory.

This is because there is an 18.09-point gap between themselves and opponents Georgia before home advantage is factored in.

South Africa’s cushion at the top could be cut down to only 0.55 rating points over New Zealand if the All Blacks complete a series whitewash of France with a win by more than 15 points in Hamilton – a gap that could be overcome in the upcoming Rugby Championship.

However, France do have an opportunity to move up the rankings too, as a victory over New Zealand by a margin of more than 15 points will see them leapfrog both Ireland and the All Blacks into second place.

If that happens, Ireland would drop to third while New Zealand would fall right down to fourth position, regardless of England’s result against the USA.

As is the case with South Africa v Georgia, fifth-ranked England cannot improve their rating with a victory over USA, given the 19.19 point difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.

However, a shock defeat in the capital would not cost them a position either, as Australia face the British and Irish Lions in the first Test, which does not count towards the rankings, while Argentina (in sixth) cannot gain any points for beating Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Scotland have gained a maximum of 0.20 rating points after defeating Samoa at Eden Park on Friday. That result sees them retain eighth spot – a position they cannot improve on even if Los Pumas are beaten by Uruguay.