In September, the Springboks opened up a handy buffer at the top of the World Rugby rankings as they claimed a 43-28 victory in the fourth Test against the All Blacks, which also secured a 3-1 series win.
However, since then the Springboks suffered a shock 42-38 defeat to the Wallabies, which saw South Africa lose two full rankings points.
This past weekend the All Blacks, in turn, picked up a comrehensive win over Australia, which saw the Kiwis add 0.66 World Rugby ranking points, while the Wallabies lost an equivalent amount.
New Zealand moved to 91.81 points, 1.28 behind the Springboks.
The All Blacks and Australia will go back into battle this weekend, and New Zealand can gain up to 0.46 rating points for beating Australia in Sydney. This result would see the All Blacks close to 0.82 rating points behind South Africa going into the Nations Championship in November.
Meanwhile, Australia will climb above England into fifth if they end a 12-match losing streak against New Zealand with a win in the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.
A win by more than 15 points would also lift the Wallabies above France into fourth, but they will drop a place to seventh if beaten.
HERE IS HOW THE RANKINGS LOOK AS THE SPRINGBOKS CLING ONTO TOP SPOT
| Rank | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 93.09 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 91.15 |
| 3 | Ireland | 88.08 |
| 4 | France | 87.43 |
| 5 | England | 85.68 |
| 6 | Scotland | 84.78 |
| 7 | Australia | 83.55 |
| 8 | Argentina | 82.24 |
| 9 | Fiji | 78.00 |
| 10 | Wales | 76.38 |
| 11 | Italy | 76.30 |
| 12 | Japan | 76.09 |
| 13 | Georgia | 73.94 |
| 14 | USA | 69.49 |
| 15 | Portugal | 69.39 |
| 16 | Chile | 66.94 |
| 17 | Spain | 66.83 |
| 18 | Uruguay | 65.75 |
| 19 | Tonga | 65.14 |
| 20 | Samoa | 64.73 |
BLEDISLOE CUP MATCH INFORMATION FOR SATURDAY
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Rieko Ioane.
Date: Saturday, October 17:
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 07:00 (SA Time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)