Historic weekend for Springbok Women capped by record ranking

South Africa will enter the top 10 of the Women’s Rankings for the first time in history when they are officially updated by World Rugby at noon on Monday.

Sunday’s thrilling 29-24 victory over the higher-ranked Italy will result in them climbing two places to 10th, beating their previous best of 11th. It also has the knock-on effect of demoting Wales to a record-equalling low of 11th.

Italy’s rating was nearly eight points better than the Springbok Women’s and the teams were four places apart in the rankings heading into the match in York.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

However, they will now be separated by just one place and 0.75 points after South Africa’s first-ever win over the Azzurre.

With France coasting to an 84-5 victory in the final match of the day against Brazil, South Africa can also look forward to a historic appearance in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

This is the third Women’s Rugby World Cup to have taken place since the women’s world rankings were introduced in February 2016, and South Africa’s narrow win is easily the biggest, if not the only, shock to have taken place in that nine-and-a-half-year period.

Twenty-four hours earlier in York, the USA were close to toppling Australia, who were ranked two places higher than them, but in the end, the Eagles had to settle for a 31-31 draw.

Even so, the draw combined with Italy’s loss has lifted the USA one place to eighth. The top seven remain unchanged.

How the updated Top 12 Women’s Rankings will look on Monday:

1. England 97.76
2. Canada 90.13
3. New Zealand 88.74
4. France 85.82
5. Ireland 78.82
6. Scotland 77.39
7. Australia 75.46
8. USA 72.91
9. Italy 72.37
10. South Africa 71.62
11. Wales 70.13
12. Japan 68.82