Chaotic ending robs Wallabies of world rankings 4-year high

When Australia led South Africa 42-17 with 17 minutes left to go, it looked for all the world that they would beat the Springboks by a big enough margin to leapfrog both Scotland and England and move up to fifth in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.

However, the concession of four yellow cards – the most the Wallabies have ever received in a single Test – put paid to that notion, and instead they were glad to hang on to a precious 42-38 victory against the world champions.

In world rankings terms, it saw the Wallabies improve their score by a couple of points to 85.55 points, which sends them above Scotland and into sixth place for the first time in a year.

However, they fell just short of overtaking fifth-placed England, with just 0.13 points separating the two great rivals. Had they beaten the Springboks by more than 15 points, they would have increased their rankings score to 86.55 and been breathing down the necks of France in fourth.

Australia, who were once ranked second in the world, were last ranked fifth at the start of July in 2022.

While the RWC 2027 hosts could have ended the weekend reaching those lofty heights again, sixth place still represents a marked improvement for a team that once appeared to be in danger of slipping out of the top 10 altogether.

Having notched over 95 rankings points for the first time in history only a few weeks ago, the Springboks are down to 93.09 points, a lead of 1.94 points over New Zealand at the top of the rankings.

Updated World Rugby Men’s Rankings – Top 10*

1. South Africa – 93.09
2. New Zealand – 91.15
3. Ireland – 88.08
4. France – 87.43
5. England – 85.68
6. Australia – 85.55
7. Scotland – 84.78
8. Argentina – 82.25
9. Japan – 77.28
10. Fiji – 76.81

*Officially updated by World Rugby at 12pm on Monday (BST)