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Springboks return to top of world rankings
By Jon Newcombe
South Africa have moved back to the top of the world rankings after extending their winning run against Scotland to nine matches with a 32-15 victory at Murrayfield in the final Autumn Nations Series fixture of the weekend.
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The Springboks had spent six weeks in second place after losing to Argentina in the penultimate round of The Rugby Championship, but Friday night’s defeat for Ireland at home to the All Blacks combined with the result in Edinburgh has restored them to number one.
Rassie Erasmus’ side are now on 92.46 points, with the All Blacks moving up to second on 91.22 points, while Ireland drop down to third on 90.58.
Fourth-placed France are the only team in the top 10 to remain unmoved, having not received any points for their straightforward 52-12 win over Japan at the Stade de France on Saturday evening.
On a wholly positive weekend for the southern hemisphere, Australia and Fiji joined South Africa and New Zealand in climbing the rankings, while Argentina were also rewarded for beating Italy 50-18.
The Wallabies started the weekend four places worse off than England but the gap is now down to one after their dramatic 42-37 win at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Now ranked seventh, England are the lowest they have been for over eight years, while Australia are up to eighth.
In another nail-biter, Fiji beat Wales for only the second time in history and have moved up to ninth. Wales, who are now on a record-equalling run of 10 straight defeats, stay 11th but are less than a point ahead of Georgia.
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