South Africa's grip on the top of the World Rugby rankings — held since mid-September and survived both the autumn internationals and this year's Six Nations — is now under immediate threat. The piece identifies the opening weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship as the precise moment that grip could slip, with the right combination of results potentially enough to dislodge the Boks. Worth reading for the specific scenario analysis of how the rankings could shift.
Springboks could lose world No.1 ranking on Nations Championship opening weekend
The Boks' world No.1 ranking, intact since September, faces its first real test on the opening weekend of the Nations Championship — the piece breaks down exactly how they could be knocked off top spot.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Don't be fooled by England's Six Nations finish — this is a genuine test for the Boks
A well-argued warning against Bok fan overconfidence ahead of the Nations Championship opener — England's Six Nations implosion had clear context, their Paris performance suggests they're back, and the Boks' seasonal rust is a real variable. Erasmus's wariness is well-founded.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
Smith vows England will 'leave it all out there' against Springboks
Marcus Smith says England's 36-man squad, arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday, are targeting a historic win over the Springboks in the Nations Championship opener, having trained in oxygen masks to prepare for the Highveld.
Contepomi: Boks have cracked the balance — and that's what makes them dangerous
Contepomi argues the Boks' real danger lies in their evolving balance between forward dominance and expansive attack — and flags sustained possession as the best way to exploit their defence.