The Springboks face losing the number one ranking if they succumb to France in Friday’s blockbuster Nations Championship clash.

South Africa have been the dominant team since the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but they have had short spells off top spot, with the All Blacks and Ireland briefly replacing them.

New Zealand could once again rise to the summit if Les Bleus gain revenge for their quarter-final loss and Dave Rennie’s men avoid defeat against Wales on Saturday.

The Kiwis will not gain any ranking points from overcoming the 10th-ranked outfit, but any sort of loss for Rassie Erasmus’ charges will see them slip behind their arch-rivals.

Although the All Blacks briefly rose to the summit after emerging triumphant in the opening Greatest Rivalry Test, the Springboks re-established their position as the sport’s best side by taking the next three.

Following that series, South Africa held a decent buffer of almost four points, but they have been slowly reeled in over the past month-and-a-half.

The Boks’ reversal against the Wallabies certainly played a big role, with an understrength side going down to Australia in late September.

New Zealand had no such problem against Australia, however, and after retaining the Bledisloe Cup and beating Scotland at the start of the Nations Championship, just 0.44 points separates them going into this weekend’s action.

Other matches

Should the Boks manage to cling onto top spot by overcoming the All Blacks, that could well benefit England, who could rise into fourth place.

It would require a dominant victory from the South Africans – a win by more than 15 points – but if they manage that then a win of any kind will see Steve Borthwick’s men take France’s position.

Elsewhere, Ireland currently reside in third and are another team who could suffer should they lose at home to Fiji, but they look too strong for the Pacific Islanders and seem safe in the top-four.

The mostly closely contested games outside of Friday’s contest in Saint-Denis see Italy host Argentina and Scotland take on the Wallabies.

While the Azzurri cannot overtake Los Pumas, they can certainly close the gap with a big win, while at Murrayfield those two nations will swap positions if the Wallabies are triumphant over Gregor Townsend’s side.

World Rugby rankings permutations

FRANCE (4) 87.49 v SOUTH AFRICA (1) 93.09

France win by 15 points or less – France 89.05, South Africa 91.53
France win by more than 15 points – France 89.83, South Africa 90.75
Draw – France 88.05, South Africa 92.53
South Africa win by 15 points or less – France 87.05, South Africa 93.53
South Africa win by more than 15 points – France 86.83, South Africa 93.75

ITALY (11) 76.30 v ARGENTINA (8) 81.62

Italy win by 15 points or less – Italy 77.84, Argentina 80.09
Italy win by more than 15 points – Italy 78.60, Argentina 79.32
Draw – Italy 76.84, Argentina 81.09
Argentina win by 15 points or less – Italy 75.84, Argentina 82.09
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Italy 75.60, Argentina 82.32

WALES (10) 77.37 v NEW ZEALAND (2) 92.65

Wales win by 15 points or less – Wales 79.37, New Zealand 90.65
Wales win by more than 15 points – Wales 80.37, New Zealand 89.65
Draw – Wales 78.37, New Zealand 91.65
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Wales 77.37, New Zealand 92.65 (No change)
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Wales 77.37, New Zealand 92.65 (No change)

ENGLAND (5) 86.99 v JAPAN (12) 75.25

England win by 15 points or less – England 84.99, Japan 77.25
England win by more than 15 points – England 83.99, Japan 78.25
Draw – England 85.99, Japan 76.25
Japan win by 15 points or less – England 86.99, Japan 75.25 (No change)
Japan win by more than 15 points – England 86.99, Japan 75.25 (No change)

IRELAND (3) 88.70 v FIJI (9) 77.79

Ireland win by 15 points or less – Ireland 88.70, Fiji 77.79 (No change)
Ireland win by more than 15 points – Ireland 88.70, Fiji 77.79 (No change)
Draw – Ireland 87.70, Fiji 78.79
Fiji win by 15 points or less – Ireland 86.70, Fiji 79.79
Fiji win by more than 15 points – Ireland 85.70, Fiji 80.79

SCOTLAND (6) 84.40 v AUSTRALIA (7) 83.12

Scotland win by 15 points or less – Scotland 85.28, Australia 82.24
Scotland win by more than 15 points – Scotland 85.71, Australia 81.81
Draw – Scotland 84.28, Australia 83.24
Australia win by 15 points or less – Scotland 83.28, Australia 84.24
Australia win by more than 15 points – Scotland 82.71, Australia 84.81