South Africa will end 2025 in the same position as they began the year, at the top of the World Rugby rankings.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Springboks marched to an impressive 24-13 victory over Ireland, which earned them 0.88 ranking points and strengthened their stronghold at the summit of the rankings.<\/p>\n
While the All Blacks blasted to a 52-26 win over Wales, New Zealand did not earn any ranking points for the victory due to the 16.09-point differential between the teams before home weighting is factored in.<\/p>\n
Even if Wales were to stun the Springboks next weekend at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Rassie Erasmus\u2019 men will remain in top position as they hold a 3.61 buffer over second-placed New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Wales climb<\/p>\n
Despite being emphatically beaten by the All Blacks, Wales have moved up the World Rugby<\/a> rankings as they benefit from Japan\u2019s 23-25 victory over Georgia. Eddie Jones\u2019 side have moved into 12th position, Wales into 11th, with the Georgians dropping two places to 13th.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, France and Australia remained in fifth and seventh, respectively, despite Les Bleus claiming a 48-33 victory, earning them 0.16 ranking points.<\/p>\n The win means that Japan have secured a Band 2 placing ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw. Earlier this week, Samoa secured their place at the tournament in Australia after a 13-all stalemate with Belgium.<\/p>\n That result saw Samoa drop two ranking places into 19th, with Chile and Tonga moving up a position each.<\/p>\n New Zealand will hold onto second place even if England convincingly defeat Argentina, but Sunday\u2019s action will decide the final placing of the band one nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the event that Los Pumas defeat England, Ireland will move into third place in the rankings.<\/p>\n Springboks player ratings: Malcolm Marx spearheads \u2018sheer massacre\u2019 as Ireland choked into submission<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n