Everyone will be paying attention to Paris this Saturday when the present number one Ireland takes on South Africa in a truly epic Pool B clash at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
The result of this match can change the world rugby rankings because Ireland can possibly retain their top spot from the up-and-coming Springboks. Ireland has been at the top of the table for fourteen months, but a straight win for the Springboks will see them lose their top spot.
Ireland’s reign will not only come to an end, but if Les Bleus should defeat Namibia in Group A, they will possibly fall to third place, behind the revived French team.
Even if France, the hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, should defeat Namibia in the Pool A match in Marseille, they will improve their rating as there is a huge rating point of 28.98 between both teams.
The Happiness about the Rankings Does Not Stop Here
I would not be able to do that. But it is not all doom and gloom for Ireland. A draw with South Africa would allow them to maintain their top spot, even though with a difference of just 0.09 Elo points. However, if Ireland can win by at least 15 points, they can extend their lead over South Africa to a maximum of 6.05 points.
The drama that surrounds the rankings does not end here. If France suffers an unexpected defeat, they can possibly fall to fourth place, behind New Zealand, which does not have a match this weekend. However, it is also good to know that France’s lowest ranking is still 4th place.
In other fixtures, England and Scotland secured wins over Chile and Tonga, respectively, and they have been rated well ahead of their opponents and will maintain their place in the table.
Also Read: Coach Cheika Makes Three Changes as Argentina Prepares for the Challenge of Facing Samoa
If Wales and Australia draw, Pool C rivals Fiji would move up one place at the expense of Wales, reaching a record seventh place. Fiji’s chances of further wins depend on the results of other matches, including a possible upset between England and Scotland.
If Australia fails against Wales and Argentina wins against Samoa, they could plummet to a record low of 10th place. Conversely, if the Wallabies win and England and Scotland suffer unexpected defeats, their ranking could rise to fifth place.
Samoa’s fate in the lower leagues is also uncertain; a win could see them move up to 9th place, but a loss to Argentina could drop them to 13th place. Portugal and Georgia are also vying for places, with Portugal looking to surpass its rival for the first time in nearly 20 years.
With the 2023 Rugby World Cup in full swing, fans around the world are glued to their screens, eager to see how the standings shake out at the end of this exciting weekend of rugby. The battle for supremacy has begun, and the rugby world faces exciting twists and turns on the road to glory.
