Weekend result sets up massive World Ranking face-off

Whenever their status as the world’s best team is challenged, Springbok fans have a pretty solid defence by pointing to the fact that they are four-time holders of the Webb Ellis Cup and back-to-back defending world champions.

Seeing their team removed from the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings last Monday provoked a strong reaction, mainly to lambast the system that officially determines the world’s best team.

Currently, as things stand, that is New Zealand, who, despite losing to Argentina for the first time on Argentinean soil on Saturday, have retained their position at No.1 for a second week.

Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus on Eben Etzebeth’s impact off the bench

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth’s inspiring performance off the bench against the Wallabies in Cape Town has raised a question about his role in future matches.

Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus on Eben Etzebeth’s impact off the bench

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth’s inspiring performance off the bench against the Wallabies in Cape Town has raised a question about his role in future matches.

However, South Africa, who held the position for over nine months until falling to a shock home defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park, are now breathing down their necks again.

Having turned the tables on the Wallabies with a 30-22 win in Saturday’s rematch at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, the Springboks have moved up one place to second, ahead of Ireland.

Their rating has increased from 89.78 points to 90.01, leaving them just 0.71 points behind the All Blacks, whose 29-23 loss at the hands of Los Pumas saw their rating drop from 92.51 points to 90.72.

As a result, whoever wins when the teams meet at the All Blacks’ Eden Park citadel on Saturday, 6 September, in round three of The Rugby Championship will be ranked No.1.

The All Blacks are unbeaten in 50 Tests at the iconic Auckland venue, a win dating back to 1994. So if the Springboks become the first team to beat the All Blacks there in the professional era, there would be no disputing their right to be there at the top of the rankings.

Further down, Australia are still above Argentina, in sixth and seventh, respectively, although the contrasting fortunes of the teams has led to the gap closing to just 1.45 points.

Argentina’s historic victory saw their rating boosted to 83.40 points, while Australia’s fell to 84.85 points.

Shock results in the opening round of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup have led to a significant change to the rankings of the nations involved.

Tonga have moved up two places to 17th as a result of their 30-16 win over Samoa, who have ceded 13th place to Japan and are now ranked 14th.

Canada’s reward for their eye-catching 34-20 win over the USA in Calgary is a one-place gain, which sees them replace Zimbabwe in 24th, while the Eagles have dropped two places to 18th.

Updated World Rugby Men’s Rankings Top 20

1. New Zealand – 90.72
2. South Africa – 90.01
3. Ireland – 89.83
4. France – 87.82
5. England – 87.64
6. Australia – 84.85
7. Argentina – 83.40
8. Scotland – 81.57
9. Fiji – 80.50
10. Italy – 77.77
11. Georgia – 74.69
12. Wales – 74.05
13. Japan – 72.29
14. Samoa – 71.08
15. Spain – 69.12
16. Uruguay – 67.52
17. Tonga – 66.87
18. USA – 66.68
19. Portugal – 66.45
20. Chile – 63.83