World Rugby confirm rankings changes, Springboks slide

09/26/2023 01:41 AM

In a seismic World up Pool B fixture at Stade de France on Saturday, the top spot in the rankings was up for grabs for the Springboks, but they ultimately slumped to an agonising 13-8 defeat.

It’s had a significant impact on the official world rankings, which have now been confirmed.

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At the top of the rankings, Ireland have increased their rating by 3.20 points, with France now their nearest challengers, following their 13-8 win over South Africa.

South Africa lost 1.97 points and their new rating of 89.70 points leaves them 0.89 points behind Les Bleus (90.59) and 4.09 points adrift of Ireland (93.79).

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The Springboks drop as Australia slump

Meanwhile, Australia’s heavy loss to Wales saw them also drop to their lowest-ever position of 10th in the World Rugby Men's Rankings.

With Argentina picking up 1.72 points for their scrappy 19-10 win over Samoa and Australia losing two-and-a-half points in defeat, the teams have swapped places with Los Pumas up to ninth and the Wallabies down to 10th. Australia had previously never been lower than ninth.

While France did not pick up any points for their 96-0 win over Namibia – their biggest-ever win and highest score in test rugby – because their rating was 30.06 points higher – they have taken second place from a beaten South Africa.

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Other changes to note

Italy kicked off the third round of matches on Wednesday with a 38-17 win over Uruguay, and that result combined with Samoa's defeat has seen the sides swap places with the Azzurri now the higher ranked of the two teams in 11th.

It is a similar story with Japan and Georgia with the Lelos' 18-18 draw with Portugal costing them sufficient points for them to cede 13th place to the Brave Blossoms.

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A missed penalty in the last seconds of the match by Nuno Sousa Guedes denied Portugal their maiden Rugby World Cup win, and also a new high in the rankings.

Meanwhile, Scotland and England are both unmoved, in fifth and sixth respectively, after their bonus-point wins over Tonga and Chile.

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