The world rankings records that can be broken this weekend

While the leading international teams except Australia take a well-earned break following an action-packed schedule in July, there are still three important men’s Tests taking place this weekend, which will influence both Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification and the world rankings.

For the loser of the Asia/Africa play-off between the United Arab Emirates and Namibia the dream of appearing at RWC 2027 will be over, whereas the winner will join Belgium and two as-yet-unconfirmed teams in the Final Qualification Tournament in November.

Played on neutral soil in Uganda, Saturday’s match features the runners-up in the leading Asian and African regional tournaments, with Namibia the favourites to progress.

The Welwitschias made their World Cup debut in 1999 and have played at every tournament since. But the direct qualification spot, which they have monopolised in the professional era, was ceded to Zimbabwe last week, when they lost to the Sables in the final of the Afirca Cup.

Led by three-time World Cup hero Jacques Burger, Namibia go into the match against the UAE ranked 12 places and nearly 10 points better off than their opponents, who they meet for the first time.

As such, they will receive very little reward in terms of additional rankings points this weekend if they successfullty see off the threat of the UAE and a defeat could send them down to their lowest-ever ranking of 30th.

A win for the UAE, who defied an even bigger rankings gap to beat Korea in this year’s Rugby Asia Emirates Championship and came close to doing likewise against Germany last November, would have a big impact.

Already at their highest position of 39th, the Arabian state nation will enter previously uncharted waters if they beat the Welwitschias, with a move up to a new high of 36th possible.

Turning to the South American scene, Brazil need to overturn a 14-point deficit from the first leg of their semi-final when they meet Chile for the second time in as many weeks in La Reina, a district of Santiago.

Chile won the first match 35-21 and are well on course to meet the winner of the other semi-final between Uruguay and Paraguay in the Sudamericano 2025 final. The South American champions will go to Australia.

The 2023 World Cup debutants recently moved into the top 20 of the rankings for the first time and are currently eight places better off than Os Tupis.

A Brazilian win would be a big deal, as it would move them a step closer to a debut World Cup appearance and also result in them matching their all-time best of 24th in the rankings – if the margin is more than 15 points.

Paraguay and Uruguay meet for the first time in eight years in Asuncion in the other semi-final. The second leg is in Montevideo on August 23rd.

In terms of the rankings, Uruguay can’t move up from 17th place. But a first-ever win for Paraguay over Uruguay at the 27th attempt could see them improve on 38th place by as many as five places.