Any one of the Springboks, All Blacks or France could end the weekend as the number-one ranked team, if Fiji cause a massive upset in Dublin.
World Rugby has published the ranking permutations and any of the current top four nations could end the weekend ranked number one.
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Ireland cannot surrender top spot if they beat Fiji in Dublin – despite the fact they are unable to improve their rating due to the 15.79 points between the sides before home weighting is factored in.
However, their cushion at the top could shrink from 1.22 rating points to as little as 0.12 points.
If France win against South Africa in Marseille and Ireland fail to beat Fiji then Les Bleus will go to number one in the rankings for the second time, having briefly occupied top spot for a week in July 2022.
South Africa will return to top spot if they beat France and Ireland fail to beat Fiji – if Ireland win in this instance then the Boks will swap places with Les Bleus to occupy second spot.
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New Zealand could also top the rankings for the first time since November 2021 if they beat Scotland in tandem with an Ireland defeat and a draw between France and South Africa.
The Springboks will regain the third place they lost last weekend to New Zealand even if both sides are beaten this weekend – a result of them losing to a higher-ranked team
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Picks – @mark_keohane and Zels predict that it will go down to the wire when the Boks clash with France in Marseille on Saturday.pic.twitter.com/Awe17qrjcF
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) November 11, 2022
Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT
