Four teams will all be vying to end the opening weekend of summer Test rugby as the number one ranked side in the world. South Africa, New Zealand, France and Ireland are all in with a chance of being the official best team on the planet by the end of the weekend's action.
As for Wales, they could be as high as seventh or as low as a record-equalling 10th, below Japan, depending on results.
World Rugby has published the permutations for the opening weekend of July Test action. Here's what could happen:
South Africa v Wales and New Zealand v Ireland
South Africa cannot improve their rating with victory over Wales due to the 11.33 rating points between the teams before home weighting is factored in. If South Africa draw with Wales, then New Zealand or Ireland must win by more than 15 points to assume the number one ranking.
Read more: Verdict on shock Wales team as warrior returns and giants benched
Wales would climb from ninth above a beaten Scotland (seventh) if they can manage a first win on South African soil in Pretoria. Defeat for the Springboks means that a smaller margin of victory will be sufficient for New Zealand or Ireland. If the 'Boks lose in tandem with a France victory in Japan and a win for either the All Blacks or Andy Farrell's Ireland, the current world champions will drop to third. They could drop to fourth if their defeat is by a margin of more than 15 points and New Zealand and Ireland draw.
As for Ian Foster's All Blacks, they can drop to their lowest ever ranking of fourth if they lose to the Irish and France win. In tandem with a 'Boks win, New Zealand would still gain one place in the table with a win regardless of France’s result in Japan.
Japan v France and Australia v England
France can top the rankings for the first time if they win against the Brave Blossoms, South Africa lose and it is a draw at Eden Park. Japan will climb above a beaten Wales into ninth if they beat Les Bleus, with the men in blue then falling two places to fourth. They could drop another place if the margin of defeat for them and Australia against England is more than 15 points.
The Brave Blossoms could climb another place to eighth if they win by more than 15 points, Wales are beaten and Scotland lose by the same margin in Argentina.
In Perth, Australia will climb above England - who are fifth in the rankings heading into their summer tour - with a victory. England can only improve on their standing if they win by more than 15 points and France lose to Japan by the same margin.
Argentina v Scotland
Argentina can jump above Scotland into seventh if they win the first Test, but Scotland could drop from seventh to as low as 10th depending on margin of defeat and the results in South Africa and Japan.
Current world rankings before summer Tests begin
- South Africa (90.61 points)
- France (88.88)
- New Zealand (88.75)
- Ireland (88.22)
- England (84.50)
- Australia (83.92)
- Scotland (81.80)
- Argentina (80.58)
- Wales (79.28)
- Japan (78.26)
Read next:
- Mistake in 'shameful' incident admitted and Wales star reveals 12-year Dan Lydiate promise
- South Africa v Wales exact scoreline predicted as prop needs 'game of his life'
- The verdict on the shock Wales team to face South Africa as warrior returns and giants benched
- Shaun Edwards gives Wales a chance in South Africa and Owen Farrell 'very unhappy'
- Dan Biggar wants to 'stick two fingers' up to Wales critics in first match since things went horribly wrong
- Wales team announcement as Wayne Pivac names side to face South Africa in first summer Test
