17 July, 2019

The Rugby Championship 2019

World Rugby Rankings stats:

• New Zealand have been number one since 16 November, 2009 • England and South Africa are the only other teams to occupy top spot

SOUTH AFRICA (5) 84.58 v AUSTRALIA 82.40 (6)

South Africa win by 15 points or less – South Africa 85.06, Australia 81.92 South Africa win by more than 15 points – South Africa 85.30, Australia 81.68 Draw – South Africa 84.06, Australia 82.92 Australia win by 15 points or less – South Africa 83.06, Australia 83.92 Australia win by more than 15 points – South Africa 82.30, Australia 84.68

Head to head: Played 88* – South Africa leads 47-37 with three draws Points for: South Africa 1,698 / Australia 1,533 Average score: South Africa 19-17 Australia * Only tests for both teams (first three matches were non-cap for South Africa)

First met: 25 June, 1921 – South Africa 25-10 Australia (non-cap match for South Africa) Most recent meeting: 29 September, 2018 – South Africa 23-12 Australia in Port Elizabeth

• Australia will climb above South Africa with victory in Johannesburg, returning to fifth for first time since September 2018 • Australia last won on South African soil in Durban back in 2011 (14-9) • South Africa cannot improve their position of fifth even with emphatic win

ARGENTINA (10) 77.05 v NEW ZEALAND 92.54 (1)

Argentina win by 15 points or less – Argentina 79.05, New Zealand 90.54 Argentina win by 15 points or more – Argentina 80.05, New Zealand 89.54 Draw – Argentina 78.05, New Zealand 91.54 New Zealand win by 15 points or less – Argentina 77.05, New Zealand 92.54 (no change) New Zealand win by more than 15 points – Argentina 77.05, New Zealand 92.54 (no change)

Head to head: Played 28* – New Zealand 27-0 with one draw Points for: Argentina 406 / 1,130 New Zealand Average score: Argentina 14-40 New Zealand * Only tests for both teams (first four matches were non-cap for New Zealand)

First met: 30 October, 1976 – New Zealand 21-9 Argentina – Buenos Aires (non-cap match for New Zealand) Most recent meeting: 29 September, 2018 – New Zealand 35-17 Argentina – Buenos Aires

• A victory for New Zealand will be their 450th in international rugby • The All Blacks need 26 points to be the first to score 16,000 points in test rugby • New Zealand will surrender top spot to Wales if lose by more than 15 points • Argentina have never beaten New Zealand but will climb one place with victory, two if by more than 15 points • Argentina have lost their last five tests since beating Australia 23-19 in Robina