World rankings set for potential shake-up as Rugby Championship enters final round

South Africa tops the rankings and the Rugby Championship table heading into the final weekend of action, but a heavy defeat to Argentina could see them relinquish the number one ranking and their TRC title.

The All Blacks may have retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year and remain in the running for the TRC, a tournament New Zealand has dominated over the years, but face a Wallabies outfit who are also in the battle for their first Rugby Championship gong since 2015.

Los Pumas are the only team out of the race for the title, but the clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London is still an all-important one for Felipe Contepomi and his men, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw fast approaching.

Earlier this week, World Rugby announced that the draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia will take place on 3 December 2025, where all 24 qualified teams will discover their pool stage opponents.

With the draw just around the corner, this weekend's action is particularly important for the likes of Argentina and Australia, with the latter currently set to be included in the second band of teams because of their seventh-placed position on the world rankings.

The World Rugby rankings will be used to create the four bands of six teams, and while some catch up is possible during the November internationals, the two nations will be eager to strengthen their position before then.

For the Springboks, a defeat to Argentina could see them remain at the top of the rankings, provided that they don't lose by more than 15 points or New Zealand beats Australia by the same margin.

These scenarios would see a third change at the top during the Rugby Championship, with the All Blacks and Springboks swapping places again, dropping the world champions to third. South Africa did not gain any ranking points for their comprehensive victory over the Pumas in Durban last weekend, but they are able to this week, with the match in London deemed as a home game for Argentina.

If Rassie Erasmus' charges claim another victory by more than 15 points, South Africa can extend their lead at the top to 2.66 points over Ireland. However, New Zealand can move into second position, but they would need to beat the Wallabies by 15 points more to do so. South Africa will be replaced at number one by Ireland if they lose by more than 15 points and the Bledisloe Cup match in Perth ends in a draw.

A win over the Boks would see Argentina retain sixth place in the rankings regardless of the result in Perth on Saturday. However, they cannot catch England in fifth even with an emphatic victory. A loss for Argentina paired with a Wallabies win will see the two nations switch positions, with the latter moving into sixth.

Australia cannot slip from seventh this weekend even if beaten heavily at home.

As for the All Blacks, Scott Robertson's men could slip as low as fifth if they fall to a defeat by more than 15 points.

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