Updated World Rugby rankings after Springboks beat Scotland
· The South African
The Springboks have maintained their top spot in the latest World Rugby rankings.
South Africa held their nerve to secure a 42-28 bonus-point victory over Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
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Earlier in the day, the All Blacks defeated Italy 47-17 in Wellington. France then produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Australia 42-21 in Brisbane, while Ireland defeated Japan 36-20.
Elsewhere, England bounced back from last week’s defeat to the Springboks by thrashing Fiji 73-18 in Liverpool.
SPRINGBOKS EXTEND THEIR LEAD AT THE TOP
Although the increase was marginal, South Africa extended their advantage over second-placed New Zealand. The Springboks added 0.02 points to bring their total points tally to 93.96.
The All Blacks remained second on 91.04 after beating 10th-ranked Italy. However, they gained no ranking points because of the gap between the two teams in the rankings.
Similarly, third-ranked Ireland stayed on 89.32 after defeating 12th-ranked Japan.
Meanwhile, France recorded the biggest points gain among the world’s top four. Les Bleus overturned a 21-12 half-time deficit before scoring 30 unanswered points to defeat Australia 42-21.
The victory earned France 0.68 ranking points, lifting them to 87.43, while Australia dropped 0.68 points to 80.60.
Elsewhere, England climbed from sixth to fifth place after their emphatic victory over Fiji.
Steve Borthwick’s side added 0.84 ranking points to move to 84.75, leapfrogging Scotland, who slipped to sixth on 84.09 following their defeat to the Springboks.
Argentina also enjoyed a successful weekend after defeating Wales 35-21. Los Pumas gained 0.29 ranking points to move to 84.06, strengthening their hold on seventh place.
England’s rise above Scotland was the only positional change in the world’s top 10.
MOVEMENT IN THE TOP 20
Wales’ defeat to Argentina resulted in the Welsh dropping to 12th after surrendering 0.29 ranking points. They now sit on 76.38. As a result, Japan have leapfrogged the Welsh – climbing up to 11th despite losing to Ireland.
Meanwhile, Uruguay and Romania played out to a thrilling 36-36 draw.
Georgia defeated Samoa 33-12 to strengthen their hold on 13th place. The victory earned Georgia 0.64 ranking points, lifting them to 73.30. Consequently, Samoa lost the same amount and dropped two places to 20th on 66.27.
Although Los Teros held onto 16th place, they lost 0.84 ranking points to drop to 67.62 points.
Finally, Tonga (18th) and Spain (19th) moved up one spot in the only other changes to the top 20.