Coming into the second round of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks were sitting pretty at the top of the world rankings, while the Springboks had slipped to third.
However, there has been a noteworthy shift in the standing after the Springboks battled to an important 30-22 win over the Wallabies on Saturday to jump back to second spot in the rankings.
Many South African supporters will also be waking up to the rather surprise news that the All Blacks succumbed to a 29-23 defeat against Argentina, which has seen New Zealand’s lead at the top of the rankings now shrink to just 0.71.
It leaves everything to play for in the Rugby Championship, and in terms of the rankings, with the Springboks next in action against their arch-rivals on 6 September.
That clash against the All Blacks will be in Auckland, with kick off at 09:05 (SA time).
UPDATED RUGBY WORLD RANKINGS AFTER SPRINGBOKS’ WIN AND ALL BLACKS’ LOSS
| 1 | New Zealand | 90.72 | (-1.79) | |
| 2 | (↑1) | South Africa | 90.01 | (+0.23) |
| 3 | (↓1) | Ireland | 89.83 | |
| 4 | France | 87.82 | ||
| 5 | England | 87.64 | ||
| 6 | Australia | 84.85 | (-0.23) | |
| 7 | Argentina | 83.40 | (+1.79) | |
| 8 | Scotland | 81.57 | ||
| 9 | Fiji | 80.50 | ||
| 10 | Italy | 77.77 |
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE LATEST CHANGES?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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