Is Springboks' No 1 world ranking under threat?

Is Springboks’ No 1 world ranking under threat?

With Ireland and France set to clash this Saturday, the question is: Could the Springboks lose top spot in the world rankings?

Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx world rankings

The Springboks after losing to Ireland last year. Image: @Springboks via X.

In arguably the most highly-anticipated Six Nations fixture so far in the tournament, log-leaders Ireland will next host fourth-ranked France on Saturday, 8 March (16:15 kick-off SA time).

This match will offer up some decent ranking points, especially if Ireland could manage to claim a victory margin of more than 15 points.

Ireland will be hoping for a Grand Slam success in the Six Nations, having comfortably won the first three games this season, but can they do enough to overtake the Springboks in the world rankings?

As it stands, Ireland are 1.42 points behind the South Africa, and they can close that gap to 0.88 if they can claim a big win over France by more than 15 points.

However, they ultimately won’t be able to overtake the Springboks considering that no rankings points will be on offer when they face 10th-ranked Italy, no matter the margin of a likely victory.

In fact, a heavy defeat for Ireland this Saturday could see them drop to fourth with France climbing to third, but there is no doubt that the Irish will be favourites this weekend.

CURRENT WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AS IRELAND CAN CLOSE IN ON SPRINGBOKS

RANK	COUNTRY	POINTS
1	South Africa	92.78
2	Ireland	91.36
3	New Zealand	90.36
4	France	87.86
5	Argentina	84.97
6	England	84.26
7	Scotland	82.36
8	Australia	81.52
9	Fiji	80.07
10	Italy	78.00
11	Georgia	74.69
12	Wales	73.75
13	Japan	72.95
14	Samoa	72.68
15	USA	70.02
16	Portugal	68.30
17	Spain	67.34
18	Uruguay	67.06
19	Tonga	65.46
20	Romania	62.76