Reminder: World Rugby rankings as Springboks return to action

The 2026 Nations Championship returns from this Friday, bringing together the top teams from the northern and southern hemispheres in a competition that culminates with a Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham at the end of the month.

During the July Test matches at the start of the tournament, the Springboks and All Blacks both won all three of their matches, and are tied at the top of the southern hemisphere table rankings.

Meanwhile, France lead the way for the north, but are closely followed by Scotland, England and Ireland.

When it comes to the World Rugby rankings, the Springboks’ shock loss to the Wallabies – coupled with back-to-back wins for the All Blacks over the same opponent recently – has ensured New Zealand are now just 1.28 points behind South Africa.

Third-placed Ireland, in turn, are 3.07 points behind the All Blacks.

Five teams from each hemisphere are now next in action when the Nations Championship competition resumes this month, with the Springboks facing Italy on Saturday.

HERE IS HOW THE RANKINGS LOOK AS THE SPRINGBOKS LOOK TO HANG ONTO TOP SPOT

Rank	Country	Points
1	South Africa	93.09
2	New Zealand	91.15
3	Ireland	88.08
4	France	87.43
5	England	85.68
6	Scotland	84.78
7	Australia	83.55
8	Argentina	82.24
9	Fiji	78.00
10	Wales	76.38
11	Italy	76.30
12	Japan	76.09
13	Georgia	73.94
14	USA	69.49
15	Portugal	69.39
16	Chile	66.94
17	Spain	66.83
18	Uruguay	65.75
19	Tonga	65.14
20	Samoa	64.73

HOW THE CURRENT NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP LOGS LOOK

Southern Hemisphere Table

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1	South Africa	3	3	0	0	+81	15
2	New Zealand	3	3	0	0	+51	15
3	Australia	3	1	0	2	+29	8
4	Argentina	3	1	0	2	-2	7
5	Japan	3	1	0	2	-26	4
6	Fiji	3	0	0	3	-96	0

Northern Hemisphere Table

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	+/-	Pts
1	France	3	2	0	1	+41	12
2	Scotland	3	2	0	1	+11	11
3	England	3	2	0	1	+48	10
4	Ireland	3	2	0	1	-1	10
5	Wales	3	1	0	2	-42	5
6	Italy	3	0	0	3	-94	0

UPCOMING fixtures (SA kick-off times)

Round 4
Friday, 6 November
10:10pm Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 7 November
1:40pm: Italy vs South Africa, Estadio Camilo Cano, La Nucia
4:10pm: Scotland vs New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
6:40pm: Wales vs Japan, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Fiji, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Sunday, 8 November
5:10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham, London

Round 5
Friday, 13 November
10:10pm: France vs South Africa, Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 14 November
1:40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
4:10pm: Wales vs New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
6:40pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham, London
10:10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 15 November
5:10pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Round 6
Saturday, 21 November
4:10pm: Scotland vs Japan, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
4:10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham, London
6:40pm: Ireland vs South Africa, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
6:40pm: Italy vs Fiji, Stadio Friuli, Udine
10:10pm: Wales vs Australia, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France, Paris

Finals Weekend (Twickenham, London)
Friday, 27 November
6:40pm: Northern 6th vs Southern 6th
10:10pm: Northern 5th vs Southern 5th
Saturday, 28 November
3:10pm: Northern 4th vs Southern 4th
6:40pm: Northern 3rd vs Southern 3rd
Sunday, 29 November
3:10pm: Northern 2nd vs Southern 2nd
6:40pm: Northern 1st vs Southern 1st