World Rankings permutations: Top spot up for grabs again in semi-finals

Dylan Coetzee
Split with head coaches Foster (NZL), Cheika (ARG), Borthwick (ENG) and Nienaber (RSA).

Split with head coaches Foster (NZL), Cheika (ARG), Borthwick (ENG) and Nienaber (RSA).

Just like that, only four teams remain in the bid for a Rugby World Cup title in France after what has been an eventful tournament through the pool stage and quarter-finals.

As usual, every Test influences the global rankings and before this weekend’s semi-finals begins Planet Rugby takes a closer look at the permutations.

Argentina (7) 83.07 v New Zealand (2) 90.91

The All Blacks have the chance to top the standings for the first time since November 2021 if they beat Argentina and the Springboks lose. However, if New Zealand loses the Springboks will maintain the top spot unless the defending champions lose as well, in which case Ireland would return to the top of the rankings.

The highest Los Pumas can go is third if they beat the All Blacks by 15+ points and England does the same to the Springboks, taking Argentina to third and England to fourth. In this case, it would be the first time since the rankings were introduced in October 2003 that both South Africa and New Zealand would be out of the top four.

A win by less than 15 points would take Argentina above Scotland to sixth in the rankings.

Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 86.64, New Zealand 87.34
Argentina win by more than 15 points – Argentina 88.42, New Zealand 85.56
New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Argentina 82.64, New Zealand 91.34
New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Argentina 82.42, New Zealand 91.56

England (5) 84.03 v South Africa (1) 92.48

The Springboks sit at the summit after a nail-biting win over France and will fall down the rankings in the event of a loss. If New Zealand win and the South Africans lose then the All Blacks will top the charts. Whilst as aforementioned losses by both hand the top spot back to Ireland and if the defeats are about 15 points there is a chance both teams could fall out of the top four. A maximum of 0.46 points can be gained by the holders this weekend.

There is much more to gain for England who could go as high as second if they beat the Springboks by 15+ and Argentina beats New Zealand by 15+. Meanwhile, a win by less than that could see them climb to fourth.

England win by 15 points or less – England 87.72, South Africa 88.79
England win by more than 15 points – England 89.56, South Africa 86.94
South Africa win by 15 points or less – England 83.72, South Africa 92.79
South Africa win by more than 15 points – England 83.56, South Africa 92.94

World Rankings (as of October 16 2023)

1 (3) South Africa: 92.48
2 (4) New Zealand: 90.91
3 (1) Ireland: 90.57
4 (2) France: 87.81
5 (6) England:84.03
6 (5) Scotland: 83.43
7 (8) Argentina: 83.07
8 (7) Wales: 80.64
9 (9) Australia: 77.48
10 (10) Fiji: 76.38

READ MORE: Superstars EVERYWHERE in our combined New Zealand and Argentina XV

Argentina