Rassie reveals why Boks can't afford to lose No 1 Test ranking

Today at 08:03 AM

Rassie Erasmus has explained why it is of utmost importance that the Springboks retain their status as the top-ranked Test team for the remainder of the year.

The Springboks are currently No 1 in the World Rugby Test rankings, with New Zealand in second place, Ireland and France third and fourth respectively, and Argentina rounding off the top five.

But while Rassie Erasmus and co have barely attached any importance to the rankings in the past because there is so little separating the top Test sides in the world, he has since changed his tune.

And the reason for this change of heart, you might wonder? Well it has everything to do with the next Rugby World Cup, or more specifically, the pool draw for the next World Cup.

It has been confirmed that the 2027 World Cup draw will take place before the 2026 Six Nations campaign, presumably in December of this year after the end-of-year Test tours or early January next year.

Therefore, unlike the previous World Cup draws, all the teams that will feature at Australia 2027 will be confirmed before pools are drawn.

“We are looking at all [player] options in all positions to make sure that hopefully when the World Cup draw comes by, that we are ranked well,” Rassie Erasmus said at a press conference last week.

"The World Cup is a bit different than before, there are six groups of four teams each and a round of 16, which can be very difficult," he told Rapport. "It's important where you finish at the end of the year [in the world rankings]."

CURRENT WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AFTER FRANCE BEAT IRELAND:

IS RASSIE ERASMUS CORRECT TO PUT GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE RANKINGS?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

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