Springboks drop to third after Ellis Park shock
SPOTLIGHT: The All Blacks have replaced South Africa at the top of the World Rugby Rankings, with the Springboks slipping to third after a captivating opening round in the Rugby Championship.
Scott Robertson’s side picked up 0.45 rating points for their 41-24 victory over Los Pumas in the Córdoba cauldron, boosting their rating to 92.51 points once the rankings – which will officially be updated by World Rugby on Monday.
New Zealand went into the match needing only to draw to reach the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2021, after reigning champions South Africa threw away a 22-0 lead to lose 22-38 to a resurgent Australia in the opening match of the competition.
That defeat saw the Springboks’ rating being cut by three to 89.78 points, dropping them below Ireland, who have 89.83 points.
In return, Australia gained three points to cement their place in the top six.
The sides ranked first to sixth will be in the first pot of seeds when the 2027 World Cup draw takes place later this year.
Argentina’s rating is down to 81.61, but they have just about hung on to seventh place.
World Rugby Rankings Top 10
New Zealand – 92.51
Ireland – 89.83
South Africa – 89.78
France – 87.82
England – 87.64
Australia – 85.08
Argentina – 81.61
Scotland – 81.57
Fiji – 80.50
Italy – 77.77
*The rankings are officially updated at noon on Monday, August 18
