World Rankings: Boks' lead shrinking rapidly
NEWS: South Africa’s lead at the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings took a big knock after the latest round of the Rugby Championship.
The Boks suffered a 26-28 defeat to the Wallabies on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Quade Cooper showed nerves of steel right at the death to slot over the match-winning 45-metre penalty for Australia.
After that result, South Africa’s lead over New Zealand at the top of the rankings has been cut to just 2.18 points, adding to the excitement ahead of the 100th Test between the two proud teams on September 25.
With two full rating points awarded for the victory, Australia climb above France and Argentina and into fifth place in the rankings.
Sunday’s other Rugby Championship match saw the All Blacks beat Argentina 39-0.
The result had no impact on the rankings due to the 7.45 rating points between the teams and the All Blacks being regarded as the home team by tournament organisers SANZAAR.
Meanwhile, USA have climbed above Uruguay, the side they will meet in a home-and-away play-off on consecutive weekends next month for the right to go to RWC 2023 as Americas 1, after a 38-16 win over Canada.
