Updated world rankings after big win for France
France kicked off the Six Nations with a clinicial win over Wales, and here is how that result has impacted the world rankings.
The Six Nations is underway, and there will be great interest throughout the tournament on how the world rankings may be impacted by the results, with the Springboks’ lead at the summit of these standings likely to come under threat.
A successful defence of their Six Nations title could well see Ireland regain the top spot, while the Springboks will also keep a close eye on fourth-placed France, another team they will face on their 2025 end-of-year tour.
On Friday night, France claimed a massive 43-0 win over Wales to start their Six Nations campaign in style, but it hasn’t impacted the rankings all that much due to the fact that Warren Gatland’s team are ranked as low as 11th.
CURRENT WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
| RANK | COUNTRY | POINTS |
| 1 | South Africa | 92.78 |
| 2 | Ireland | 90.78 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 90.36 |
| 4 | France | 88.51 |
| 5 | Argentina | 84.97 |
| 6 | Scotland | 83.34 |
| 7 | England | 82.31 |
| 8 | Australia | 81.52 |
| 9 | Fiji | 80.07 |
| 10 | Italy | 78.64 |
| 11 | Wales | 74.01 |
| 12 | Georgia | 73.85 |
| 13 | Japan | 72.95 |
| 14 | Samoa | 72.68 |
| 15 | USA | 70.02 |
| 16 | Portugal | 68.82 |
| 17 | Uruguay | 67.06 |
| 18 | Spain | 65.98 |
| 19 | Tonga | 65.46 |
| 20 | Romania | 63.01 |
SIX NATIONS 2025 FIXTURES
ROUND 1
Friday, 31 January
France vs Wales (22:15 SA kick off time)
Saturday, 1 February
Scotland vs Italy (16:15 kick off time)
Ireland vs England (18:45 kick off time)
ROUND 2
Saturday, 8 February
Italy vs Wales
England vs France
Sunday, 9 February
Scotland vs Ireland
ROUND 3
Saturday, 22 February
Wales vs Ireland
England vs Scotland
Sunday, 23 February
Italy vs France
ROUND 4
Saturday, 8 March
Ireland vs France
Scotland vs Wales
Sunday, 9 March
England vs Italy
ROUND 5
Saturday, 15 March
Italy vs Ireland
Wales vs England
France vs Scotland
Meanwhile, here is a reminder of the teams the Springboks will face in 2025, which includes all of the Six Nations sides except England and Scotland.
2025 Test schedule:
5 July: vs Italy, Venue TBC
12 July: vs Italy, TBC
19 July: vs Georgia, TBC
16 August: vs Australia, TBC
23 August: vs Australia, TBC
6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland
13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington
27 September: vs Argentina, TBC
4 October: vs Argentina, London
1 November: vs Wales, Cardiff
8 November: vs France, Paris
15 November: vs Italy, TBC
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin
WHICH FIXTURES ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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