The upcoming clash in Buenos Aires holds no promise of advancement in the World Rugby rankings for the Springboks, yet they face the risk of losing their top spot to the All Blacks if they're defeated by Los Pumas. Despite a significant lead over Argentina, a South African loss could see them fall behind New Zealand, who are only a few points shy in the rankings.
This no-win scenario for the Springboks adds tension to an already critical prelude to the four-Test series dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, scheduled from August 22 to September 12, where the Boks will face off against the Kiwis.
Rassie Erasmus, the coach of the Springboks, summed up the upcoming game with characteristic bluntness:
"It’ll be a helluva grind."
While the Springboks confront their ranking dilemma, the All Blacks will be facing the Stormers in Cape Town in a match that holds no implications for the ranking system. Meanwhile, an upset by Los Pumas not only threatens South Africa's position but could propel Argentina past Scotland and potentially England in the standings, depending on the match's margin.
Despite the outcomes in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s seventh place is secure, as the Wallabies, positioned eighth, do not have an opportunity to surpass them in their upcoming game against Japan in Osaka. However, the Brave Blossoms face their own battle; a substantial win over Australia could elevate them above Fiji into ninth place, a crucial jump in the rankings.
On the other side, a disappointing performance from Japan could see them descend to twelfth place, unsettling their standings profoundly just before major international fixtures.
The World Rugby rankings hovering over all these matches are as follows: South Africa tops the chart, followed closely by New Zealand and Ireland. France and England complete the top five, with Scotland and Argentina trailing closely behind.
The dynamics of international rugby are set to shift dramatically based on the outcomes of these key matches, impacting strategies and morale as the teams prepare for more intense encounters later in the season.
