World Rugby rankings, USA News (South Africa): Springbok rugby resumes this weekend, and here is a reminder of the world rankings and Nations Championship standings. 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.
Round 4 Fixtures
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 Fixtures
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 Fixtures
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
