The Springboks are set to lose some of their advantage at the top of the World Rugby rankings as the 2026 edition of the Six Nations kicks off this week.
However, their position as the world’s No 1 team is not in danger.
The Six Nations kicks off with a blockbuster clash between France and Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris on Thursday, 5 February at 22:10 (SA time).
WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AHEAD OF SIX NATIONS 2026
| Rank | Country | Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 93.94 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 90.33 |
| 3 | England | 89.41 |
| 4 | Ireland | 87.97 |
| 5 | France | 87.24 |
| 6 | Argentina | 84.97 |
| 7 | Australia | 81.53 |
| 8 | Fiji | 81.14 |
| 9 | Scotland | 80.22 |
| 10 | Italy | 78.98 |
| 11 | Wales | 74.23 |
| 12 | Japan | 74.09 |
| 13 | Georgia | 73.18 |
| 14 | Uruguay | 69.19 |
| 15 | Spain | 69.01 |
| 16 | USA | 68.26 |
| 17 | Chile | 66.72 |
| 18 | Tonga | 66.66 |
| 19 | Samoa | 66.43 |
| 20 | Portugal | 64.98 |
Can close the gap
Heading into that opening clash, Ireland are ranked fourth and France fifth in the latest World Rugby rankings.
Regardless of the result, neither of those teams can impact the top two spots in the standings.
However, both France and Ireland have the opportunity of closing the gap to the top with valuable World Rugby ranking points on the line.
Ireland currently boast 87.97 points, while France are on 87.24 points.
A win for either nation would reduce the gap to the Springboks, who currently hold a lead of 5.97 points over Ireland and 6.70 points over France.
WORLD RANKINGS PERMUTATIONS
If France win
- Win by 15 points or fewer
France would gain 0.77 ranking points, moving to 88.01 points.
This would reduce the gap to the Springboks from 6.70 points to 5.93 points. - Win by more than 15 points
France would gain 1.16 ranking points, lifting their total to 88.40 points.
This would cut the gap to the Springboks to 5.54 points.
If Ireland win
- Win by 15 points or fewer
Ireland would gain 1.23 ranking points, increasing their total to 89.19 points.
This would move Ireland further clear of France in fourth place and reduce the gap to the Springboks to 4.75 points. - Win by more than 15 points
Ireland would gain 1.84 ranking points, taking their total to 89.81 points.
This would see Ireland move into third place in the world rankings and close the gap to the Springboks to 4.13 points.
Opportunity for chasing pack
As outlined above, no result in the opening round of the Six Nations will affect the Springboks’ position at the summit of the World Rugby Rankings.
However, the championship does provide a significant opportunity for the chasing pack close the gap at the top and to move up the world rankings.
Particularly, for England, Ireland and France.
Meanwhile, in other Round 1 Six Nations matches this week, Italy host Scotland in Rome (16:10 SA time) and England welcome Wales to Twickenham (18:40 SA time).
Both those matches are scheduled for Saturday, 7 February.
An interesting and action-packed Six Nations awaits …
Speaking of rankings and order, these Springboks have bashed down the selection door to push themselves ahead in the pecking order.
