Springbok Women Eye Record World Ranking High as Global Tournament Permutations Unveiled

The Springbok Women are poised for a record-breaking leap to ninth in the World Rugby rankings this weekend as Six Nations and Pacific Four results unfold.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 4:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Potential Historical Milestone for South Africa

The Springbok Women stand on the precipice of a historic achievement in the World Rugby rankings without having to take the field this weekend. While the South African squad is currently idle, their professional standing is tied to the outcomes of the Women’s Six Nations, the Pacific Four Series, and the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship. According to World Rugby, a specific result in the European circuit could shift the global hierarchy in favor of the South Africans, marking a significant moment for the nation’s growing women's rugby program.

The Scottish Influence on Italian Standings

The primary catalyst for South Africa’s potential ascent lies in the high-stakes Six Nations clash between Italy and Scotland. If the Azzurre suffer a defeat on home soil, they will effectively surrender their current position to the Springbok Women. This slide by the Italians would push South Africa up to ninth in the world, surpassing their previous record. The shift highlights the volatility of the mid-tier rankings during major regional championships where every loss carries heavy mathematical consequences.

Fluctuations Across the Pacific Four Series

Beyond the immediate impact on South Africa, the Pacific Four Series is set to reshape the top tier of the women's game. The United States could climb to sixth place if they secure their first victory over Canada since 2019, provided Scotland also falters in Italy. Meanwhile, Canada has a direct path to reclaiming the second spot in the world rankings. This would require a Canadian victory over the USA and a historic, first-ever loss for New Zealand against Australia in the weekend's other Pacific Four encounter.