World Rugby Men's Rankings preview: 29 August, 2026

World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the second test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series in South Africa and Argentina's encounter with Australia. 

Permutation highlights:

• South Africa will secure an immediate return to top spot in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings if they avenge last weekend’s loss to New Zealand.
• Back-to-back victories for New Zealand could see their advantage over South Africa grow to as much as 4.28 rating points if they again win by more than 15 points.
• The Springboks cannot fall from second place this weekend as even another heavy defeat would still leave them with a cushion of almost three points over Ireland in third.
• Australia will climb above Argentina into seventh place if they are victorious in Jujuy.
• Argentina cannot improve on seventh spot with victory this weekend, the best they can do is close to 0.22 rating points of Scotland in sixth.
• The Wallabies will remain eighth in defeat as they would still retain at least a 3.24-point cushion over Fiji below.