South Africa's unbroken run at the top of the World Rankings — which dates back to dethroning the All Blacks last September — is on the line this Saturday when they face Argentina at Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires.
The Springboks carry a rating of 93.96 into the match, 1.68 points clear of New Zealand (92.28). A defeat to Argentina, however, would cost them at least two rating points, handing the top spot back to the All Blacks, who begin their South Africa tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday night.
A loss by 15 points or fewer would drop South Africa to 91.96 — below New Zealand's current 92.28 — while elevating Argentina from seventh to sixth. A defeat by more than 15 points would see the Pumas leapfrog both Scotland and England into fifth place.
The worst-case scenario still leaves South Africa no lower than second. Even a heavy defeat would leave them 2.88 points ahead of third-placed Ireland (88.08).
A Springbok win, their 13th in the last 15 meetings with Argentina, would leave the rankings unchanged. South Africa have never lost to Argentina in Buenos Aires — three of the Pumas' four wins in the series since 1993 came on home soil, but in Salta, Mendoza and, most recently in 2024, Santiago de Estero.
Current World Rankings top 10:
- South Africa – 93.96
- New Zealand – 92.28
- Ireland – 88.08
- France – 87.43
- England – 85.68
- Scotland – 84.78
- Argentina – 83.13
- Australia – 81.61
- Fiji – 78.00
- Japan – 76.42