How the Springboks can lose World Rugby No 1 ranking this weekend

The Springboks will take on Italy in their next Nations Championship match at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, 7 November.

Kick-off is at 13:40 (SA time).

The match will be screened live on SuperSport.

No 1 in the World Rugby rankings

South Africa enter the Test ranked No 1 in the latest World Rugby rankings, with Italy down in 11th place.

A loss could see Rassie Erasmus’ men lose their coveted top spot in the standings, provided the All Blacks beat Scotland later the same day.

The Springboks have 93.09 points heading into the match, 0.82 more than New Zealand’s 92.27.

A loss by 15 or fewer points would see the Springboks lose two full rankings points while a defeat by 16 or more points would equate to a loss of three ranking points.

A draw after 80 minutes will see South Africa lose one point.

Impressive record

The Springboks boast an impressive record against Italy, with 18 wins from 19 Tests played to date.

Their lone loss came at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on 19 November 2016 when a largely second-string line-up captained by Adriaan Strauss and coached by Allister Coetzee went down 20-18.

Standings

The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship on points’ difference from New Zealand with both nations boasting a perfect 15 points after three rounds.

Team announcement

Rassie Erasmus is expected to name his Springbok match-day squad on Monday at 18:30 (SA time).

Match officials

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Nations Championship Round 4 matches

All times SA

Friday, 6 November

Ireland vs Argentina – 22:10

Saturday, 7 November

Italy vs South Africa – 13:40

Scotland vs New Zealand – 16:10

Wales vs Japan – 18:40

France vs Fiji – 22:10

Sunday, 8 November

England vs Australia – 17:10

Springbok squad for second leg of Nations Championship:

Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Bulls)

Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers)

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)

Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls)

Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (Stormers)

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