New Zealand are closing in on South Africa at the top of the World Rugby rankings following another dramatic weekend of Nations Championship action.
The All Blacks have moved to within just 0.44 ranking points of the Springboks after their 43-21 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
New Zealand gained 0.38 points to reach 92.65, with South Africa still leading the way on 93.09.
It leaves the race for the world number one ranking finely balanced heading into the remaining November internationals.
Meanwhile, Scotland have dropped one place to seventh after their defeat to the All Blacks.
Australia climb above Gregor Townsend's side into sixth, with just 0.03 points separating the two nations.
Ireland remain third after gaining 0.63 points, while France stay fourth and England complete the top five.
Wales are also moving in the right direction.
Their victory over Japan earned them 0.99 ranking points, taking them to 77.37 in tenth place.
Japan drop to 12th, with Italy remaining 11th.
All Blacks closing in on top spot
The biggest talking point is the shrinking gap between the world's two leading sides.
South Africa remain top, but New Zealand's latest victory has brought them within touching distance.
With more Nations Championship fixtures to come, the battle for top spot could become one of November's biggest stories.
Updated World Rugby Rankings โ November 2026
- ๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa โ 93.09
- ๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand โ 92.65 (+0.38)
- โ๏ธ Ireland โ 88.70 (+0.63)
- ๐ซ๐ท France โ 87.49 (+0.06)
- ๐น England โ 85.68
- ๐ฆ๐บ Australia โฌ๏ธ1 โ 84.43
- ๐ฅ Scotland โฌ๏ธ1 โ 84.40 (-0.38)
- ๐ฆ๐ท Argentina โ 81.62 (-0.63)
- ๐ซ๐ฏ Fiji โ 77.79 (-0.06)
- ๐ Wales โ 77.37 (+0.99)
- ๐ฎ๐น Italy โ 76.30
- ๐ฏ๐ต Japan โ 75.25 (-0.99)
- ๐ฌ๐ช Georgia โ 73.94
- ๐ต๐น Portugal โ 70.52 (+1.13)
- ๐ช๐ธ Spain โฌ๏ธ2 โ 67.73 (+0.89)
- ๐บ๐ธ USA โฌ๏ธ1 โ 67.58
- ๐น๐ด Tonga โฌ๏ธ2 โ 65.87 (+0.73)
- ๐จ๐ฑ Chile โฌ๏ธ2 โ 65.81 (-1.13)
- ๐ผ๐ธ Samoa โฌ๏ธ1 โ 65.31 (+0.58)
- ๐บ๐พ Uruguay โฌ๏ธ2 โ 65.75 (-0.89)
Ranking updates via Planet Rugby.
















