World rankings: Springboks could finish the weekend at No 1

Top-ranked Ireland cannot gain anything from their clash with Romania this weekend due their opponents' lowly world ranking, while there are double points on offer for the Boks against the Scots.

Andy Farrell's men have topped the rankings for the past 14 months, but they will be overhauled by South Africa if the Boks defeat Scotland by a margin of more than 15 points.

That would give Jacques Nienaber's side an additional 0.88 points, which is more than they need to make up the 0.74 differential to the Irish.

France defeated the All Blacks on Friday night but their big win will not be enough to overtake the Boks should they put more than 15 past Scotland.

That is because the second-placed Boks currently enjoy a sizeable 1.86 point lead over the third-placed French, which is too much for Les Blues to overcome.

Should the Springboks lose against Scotland, they are sure to relinquish second and drop down to third, staying above the All Blacks in fourth.

Scotland could also make significant gains if they secure a momentous victory over the Boks.

A loss for Gregor Townsend's side, however, could open the door for Argentina to move up and take fifth position, but they would have to beat England by more than 15 points.

Fiji are another team that could rise. Already sitting in a record-high of seventh, the Pacific Islanders could go even higher if they beat Wales and England's clash with Argentina ends in a draw.

READ MORE: France shine in second half to down All Blacks in sweltering Rugby World Cup opener

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