Boks drop down to fifth
The Springboks have slipped three places down the world rankings due to be published by World Rugby on Monday.
Having lost all three Rugby Championship games, the last being a shock defeat by Argentina in Durban, the Springboks find themselves in a lowly fifth place in the world.
Ireland have overtaken the Boks and moved up to a highest ever second place.
The Six Nations champions romped to a comfortable 35-21 win over Wales in a World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff on Saturday.
That, coupled with South Africa's surprising 25-37 Rugby Championship defeat at home to Argentina – the Pumas first ever success against the Springboks – was enough to see the Irish move up one place behind world champions New Zealand.
Australia also climbed two places to third after their victory in the Rugby Championship, secured with Saturday's 27-19 win over the All Blacks, giving them three victories from three.
England are stable in fourth position, while Argentina's win moved them above France into seventh.
Wales hold onto sixth place despite their defeat on the weekend.
AFP