World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the fourth round of Rugby Championship matches this weekend.

Permutation highlights:

– New Zealand will return to number one in the world if they beat Argentina by more than 15 points and South Africa also lose to Australia.

– A smaller margin would be enough for the All Blacks to reclaim top spot if Australia win by more than 15 points.

– New Zealand cannot fall from second place, even if they lose by more than 15 points and Australia beat the Springboks as emphatically.

– South Africa’s cushion at the top has shrunk to 2.18 points but could increase to 5.03 points if they win by more than 15 points and New Zealand lose by that margin.

– Australia will climb two places to third if they beat South Africa for the second week running – a position they haven’t occupied since June 2018.

– The Wallabies will drop below France if beaten by South Africa and return to seventh if this is in tandem with an Argentina victory.

– Argentina will climb one place – above France – if they beat New Zealand. Los Pumas will climb to fifth if they win and Australia lose.

Los Pumas can climb as high as fourth if they win by more than 15 points and Australia lose.

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