The All Blacks have changed South Africa on the high of the World Rugby Rankings, with the Springboks slipping to 3rd after a charming opening spherical in The Rugby Championship.
Scott Robertson’s aspect picked up 0.45 score factors for his or her 41-24 victory over Los Pumas within the Córdoba cauldron, boosting their score to 92.51 factors as soon as the rankings are formally up to date by World Rugby at midday on Monday (BST).
New Zealand went into the match needing solely to attract to succeed in the highest of the rankings for the primary time since November 2021, after reigning champions South Africa threw away a 22-0 result in lose 38-22 to a resurgent Australia within the opening match of the competitors.
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, 18 August
