Springboks reclaim number one spot as northern hemisphere duo relinquish top two places

Adam Kyriacou
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi after World Cup quarter-final win.

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi after World Cup quarter-final win.

Ireland’s 15-month reign atop the World Rugby rankings has come to an end after their defeat to New Zealand, as South Africa take over as the number one team.

The Springboks claimed an impressive 29-28 victory over World Cup hosts France on Sunday and their win has also seen them climb to the summit of the rankings.

It’s the first time since Ireland went top that South Africa have been number one, with their fine result and the Irish’s defeat to New Zealand changing the top four.

Ireland fall to third

Ireland have fallen two places to third with Ian Foster’s All Blacks moving up to second place, 1.57 points behind the new pace-setters South Africa in the standings.

The Springboks now boast a rating of 92.48 points compared to New Zealand’s 90.91 with Ireland third on 90.57 as the latter’s Rugby World Cup comes to an end.

France have dropped a couple of places to fourth after their loss, on 87.81 points, with England coming next in fifth after they move up a spot at Scotland’s expense.

England, who beat Fiji 30-24 , and Argentina, who edged Wales, will be viewed as the underdogs in their respective semi-finals, against the Boks and All Blacks.

Following Los Pumas’ 29-17 win, they have traded places with the Welsh in seventh and eighth, with Australia sitting ninth and Fiji in tenth position this Monday.

World Rugby rankings

1(3) South Africa 92.48
2(4) New Zealand 90.91
3(1) Ireland 90.57
4(2) France 87.81
5(6) England 84.03
6(5) Scotland 83.43
7(8) Argentina 83.07
8(7) Wales 80.64
9(9) Australia 77.48
10(10) Fiji 76.38
11(11) Italy 75.93
12(12) Japan 74.27
13(13) Portugal 72.78
14(14) Georgia 72.68
15(15) Samoa 72.23
16(16) Tonga 71.57
17(17) Uruguay 67.39
18(18) USA 66.22
19(19) Spain 64.05
20(20) Romania 63.28

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