The Springboks will spend Christmas – and New Year – in the No 1 spot in the World Rugby rankings.
In fact, they will look down on their rivals for the whole of January 2025.
However, things may change once next year’s Six Nations is up and running.
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While none of the southern hemisphere nations will be in action until mid-2025, the northern hemisphere heavyweights will duke it out in the Six Nations, starting on Friday, 31 January.
A successful defence of their title could well see Ireland regain the top spot, while France could also go close depending on whether results go their way.
SIX NATIONS 2025 FIXTURES
ROUND 1
Friday, 31 January
France vs Wales
Saturday, 1 February
Scotland vs Italy
Ireland vs England
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
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 |
It promises, sadly, to be a 2025 to forget, fixture-wise, for the world champion Springboks.
While the British Lions will tour Australia, and the All Blacks will welcome France for three Tests, the Springboks will have to make do with matches against lowly Italy (two) and Georgia (one).
Saturday, 5 July: South Africa vs Italy
Saturday, 12 July: South Africa vs Italy
Saturday, 19 July: South Africa vs Georgia
Victories in those Tests won’t alter the Springboks’ World Rugby ranking points.
The Rugby Championship will follow, but even that won’t be as exciting for local fans with matches against Australia (two) and Argentina (one) scheduled for home soil.
Saturday, 16 August: South Africa vs Australia
Saturday, 23 August: South Africa vs Australia
Saturday, 27 September: South Africa vs Argentina
At the time of publishing, the Springboks’ 2025 end-of-year fixtures have not been confirmed.
Will the Springboks finish 2025 as World Rugby’s No 1-ranked team?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/world-rugby-rankings-ahead-of-2025-six-nations/
