South Africa top World Cup power rankings despite Australia defeat
South Africa head the race for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, even after a defeat to Australia.
The Springboks sit No. 1 in The Guardian's power rankings, a form guide to who is playing best right now, published on 1 October 2026. New Zealand are No. 2, France are No. 3 and Ireland are No. 4 as the countdown builds to the tournament in Australia.
South Africa stay top despite losing to Australia the previous weekend, according to the rankings article. That is a surprise. It sets up a sharp test of nerve, with autumn fixtures against France and Ireland still to come.
New Zealand, listed under coach Dave Rennie, sit right behind them. The two rivals know each other well. South Africa won their recent series 3-1 after trailing 1-0, which explains why the rankings keep them paired at the summit.
The projected knockout path is brutal. South Africa are on course for a World Cup quarter-final, the last eight, against New Zealand and a semi-final, the last four, against France. No easy route. Every pool game will matter for seedings and momentum.
The 2027 event will be the biggest men's World Cup yet. It will feature 24 teams in Australia, split into six pools, or groups, of four, according to World Rugby. The draw is set for Wednesday, 3 December, with details outlined by World Rugby.
One place is still to be decided through the Final Qualification Tournament. Belgium, Namibia, Samoa and Paraguay are the four teams competing for it, World Rugby has confirmed.
Past results show how fast this rivalry can swing. South Africa beat Australia 30-22 in Cape Town in the Rugby Championship, Reuters reported. That win was built on set-piece power and direct carrying, the bread and butter of Test rugby.
For fans, this means the autumn will shape the story. If South Africa beat France and Ireland, the No. 1 tag will look solid. If not, New Zealand are waiting.
