It was quite a big debate earlier this year when Ireland moved ahead of the Springboks into top spot on the world rankings despite South Africa winning the Rugby Championship.
In the end, Ireland’s stay at the top has been short-lived, and no matter what the results are this weekend, the Springboks are assured of finishing the year in No 1 spot.
South Africa’s rating in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings has increased to 92.78 points following their 29-20 win over England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The Springboks had started the weekend with a 1.25-point advantage over New Zealand but they’re now two points clear of Ireland, who have replaced the All Blacks in second place in the rankings.
Ireland picked up just two-tenths of a point for their hard-fought 22-19 win at home to Argentina but their new rating of 90.78 points puts them in front of New Zealand, whose rating dropped to 90.09 points after they lost 30-29 to France at Stade de France in arguably the best game of this weekend’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures.
France remain in fourth but continue to close the gap on the top three, while the rest of the positions in the top 10 remained the same with results falling as expected, although for a while it looked as though Georgia would break into the top 10 for the first time after leading Italy by 11 points at half-time in Genoa
Italy came good in the second half to win 20-17 and keep hold of 10th place, while the Lelos fell just short of reining in Wales, who suffered a 52-20 home defeat to Australia.
Japan and USA each climbed a place, on the back of their victories over Uruguay and Tonga, moving to 13th and 15th respectively.
The biggest winners of the weekend, however, were the Netherlands who overcame the higher-ranked Chile 20-17 in Amsterdam. Lyn Jones’ side have moved up three places to 24th as a result and are now just one place off matching their all-time high of 23rd.
UPDATED WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AFTER THE LATEST SPRINGBOK WIN
| RANK | COUNTRY | POINTS |
| 1 | South Africa | 92.78 |
| 2 | Ireland | 90.78 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 90.09 |
| 4 | France | 88.08 |
| 5 | Argentina | 85.40 |
| 6 | Scotland | 82.70 |
| 7 | England | 82.31 |
| 8 | Australia | 82.17 |
| 9 | Fiji | 80.07 |
| 10 | Italy | 78.92 |
| 11 | Wales | 74.01 |
| 12 | Georgia | 73.85 |
| 13 | Japan | 72.95 |
| 14 | Samoa | 72.68 |
| 15 | USA | 68.90 |
| 16 | Portugal | 68.82 |
| 17 | Spain | 67.10 |
| 18 | Uruguay | 65.94 |
| 19 | Tonga | 65.46 |
| 20 | Romania | 64.13 |
WEEKEND TEST FIXTURES AND RESULTS
FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER
Ireland 22-19 Argentina
SATURDAY, 16 NOVEMBER
South Korea 22-27 Zimbabwe
Hong Kong 38-17 Brazil
Netherlands 20-17 Chile
Uganda 5-21 Kenya
Japan 36-20 Uruguay
Spain 19-33 Fiji
Scotland 59-21 Portugal
Romania 35-27 Canada
USA 36-17 Tonga
England 20-29 South Africa
France 30-29 New Zealand
SUNDAY, 17 NOVEMBER
Italy 20-17 Georgia
Wales 20-52 Australia
WEEKEND FIXTURES:
WHICH GAME ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND?
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