All the IRB world ranking permutations for this weekend's Test matches.

The Springoks can end New Zealand's five-year reign as the top-ranked side in the world if they beat Ireland, and England pull off a surprise 15-point win over the world champions on Saturday.

If the All Blacks, Boks and Wallabies win their opening fixtures on European soil, the top two will go unchanged and the Aussies will reclaim their third place, a month after relinquishing it to England following a 21-17 defeat against Argentina.

Ireland can become the top-ranked northern hemisphere team if they beat the Boks by 15 points or more and Wales end their losing streak against the Australians. Should that be the case, Joe Schmidt's team will rise to third, their highest-ever position; while Michael Cheika's Wallabies will slip to fifth – their lowest since the introduction of rankings in 2003.

With a 0.69 points difference between them, France can leapfrog Six Nations rivals Wales into sixth place, if they beat Fiji in Marseille and the Dragons slump to a 10th successive defeat against the Wallabies. Fiji, however, could jump from 12th to eight on the list if they surprise France.

On the back of their first Rugby Championship win, Argentina can make further gains from 10th to seventh – depending on the margin of victory – if they topple Scotland in Edinburgh, while a loss could see them drop to 11th.

IRB rankings:

1. New Zealand 93.15

2. South Africa 90.41

3. England 85.68

4. Australia 84.53

5. Ireland 83.44

6. Wales 80.70

7. France 80.01

8. Scotland 77.75

9. Samoa 76.35

10. Argentina 75.97

Full Rankings

How the rankings work

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