In seeing off Italy in back-to-back Checks after which comfortably beating Georgia 55-10, South Africa prolonged their successful run in Take a look at rugby to seven matches. It’s their greatest run since they swept all earlier than them at RWC 2019, following their early loss to New Zealand, and beat Georgia on their return to the Take a look at area after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sequence of comparatively simple matches has additionally enabled Rassie Erasmus to blood new expertise, together with a rookie entrance row in opposition to Georgia – Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche – forward of The Rugby Championship and with an eye fixed on their Rugby World Cup title defence in 2027.
What it hasn’t finished, although, is enhance the Springboks’ score within the world rankings, as no factors have been awarded to them for any of their wins, which has allowed New Zealand to eat away at their benefit on the prime.
The Springboks have been primary since mid-November final 12 months, once they changed Eire, and entered the 12 months with a transparent two-point lead over the All Blacks.
In distinction to the Springboks, the All Blacks have picked up factors in every of their wins within the 3-0 sequence victory over France, despite the fact that Les Bleus travelled with a weakened crew, to the extent that they now solely path by 0.72 factors.
The hole may have been nearer, however New Zealand’s 29-19 win in Hamilton fell slightly below the required margin to earn them greater than the 0.34 factors that they obtained.
Which means the Springboks’ standing because the world’s primary is now severely beneath risk, with them presumably being changed on the prime by the All Blacks after the opening weekend of The Rugby Championship on August 16.
South Africa host Australia at Ellis Park, whereas the All Blacks journey to Cordoba to tackle Argentina. If each the world’s prime two win, the Springboks will possible retain their place on the prime, simply.
Their score gained’t enhance, given they’re at dwelling and taking part in a facet nicely under them, but it surely’s uncertain that the All Blacks will get sufficient factors to wipe off the 0.72 deficit, as they’re additionally taking part in a crew with a considerably decrease score, albeit away from dwelling.
France, in the meantime, have held on to fourth place regardless of struggling three straight defeats, as fifth-place England didn’t decide up any factors for his or her 40-5 win over the USA in Washington, DC.
New Zealand have been one among 4 groups within the prime 20 of the rankings to extend their score this weekend, though not one of the adjustments led to an improved place.
Eighth-place Scotland recovered a number of the floor they misplaced after their defeat to Fiji with their 41-12 win over Samoa, incomes them 0.20 factors.
Spain obtained the identical quantity of factors after beating Canada 24-23, due to a penalty with the final kick of the sport.
Chile have been the one different crew within the prime 20 to extend their score, a 35-21 win away to Brazil seeing their score boosted by 0.63 factors.
The large information popping out of Africa is Zimbabwe qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the primary time since 1991. Having efficiently defended their Africa Cup title after a 30-28 win over Namibia, the Sables are actually at an all-time excessive of twenty fourth.
How the highest 20 of the rankings will look when they’re formally up to date at 12pm (BST) on Monday:
- South Africa 92.78
- New Zealand 92.06
- Eire 89.83
- France 87.82
- England 87.64
- Australia 82.08
- Argentina 82.05
- Scotland 81.57
- Fiji 80.50
- Italy 77.77
- Georgia 74.69
- Wales 74.05
- Samoa 72.48
- Japan 72.29
- Spain 69.12
- USA 68.45
- Uruguay 67.52
- Portugal 66.44
- Tonga 65.46
- Chile 63.83
