WORLD RANKINGS: Springboks leap to fifth
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks have moved up two places after their second consecutive win over England in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The 23-12 Series-clinching win over England made sure they gain a fraction under three-quarters of a rating point for the victory to climb from seven up to fifth, with Scotland also overtaken following their one-point loss to the resurgent USA.
Five straight international defeats have seen England slip to sixth place in the rankings, their lowest position since March 2016.
Wales have moved up to third place in the World Rugby Rankings after completing a 2-0 series win over Argentina – their first in the South American country since 1999.
A 23-10 victory in the first test in San Juan, Wales backed it up with a 30-12 win in the second in Sante Fe, combined with South Africa’s defeat of England, lifts them to their highest position in the rankings since October 2015.
Wales, who started the year ranked seventh, are still some way adrift of second-place Ireland, who levelled their series with Australia with a 26-21 win in Melbourne. The Six Nations champions pick up 1.15 rating points to move to 89.20, three-and-a-quarter points more than their Celtic rivals.
New Zealand still sit proudly at the top, on 93.99 points, after seeing off 14-man France in Wellington.
