WORLD RANKINGS: Springboks no longer No.1

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa’s unbroken 11-month reign at the top of the World Rankings is over following their dramatic 28-29 defeat to Argentina in Santiago Del Estero on Saturday.

The Springboks had replaced Ireland as the number one team in the world back in mid-October when Andy Farrell’s side suffered an untimely quarterfinal exit at World Cup 2023.

But the situation has now been reversed with the Springboks’ rating falling to 91.77 points, which puts them in second 0.35 points below Ireland, who take over at the top with their rating of 92.12 points.

In ending a nine-game losing streak against the Springboks, Los Pumas have not only kept their slim Rugby Championship title hopes alive but also climbed above Scotland and into sixth in the rankings.

Argentina will go to Mbombela next weekend for the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship five points behind the previously unbeaten Springboks in the standings.

Los Pumas were not the only team to make progress this weekend as Fiji have climbed up to ninth at Australia’s expense on the back of winning their sixth Pacific Nations Cup title.

Fiji produced a stunning second-half performance to beat tournament hosts Japan 41-17 in the Final of the Pacific Nations competition.

The convincing win has improved their rating to 79.64 points, which only leaves them a third of a point behind Italy in eighth.

Despite a valiant fightback against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup, Australia lost 28-31 to the All Blacks and have fallen to 10th in the rankings. The Wallabies have been in that position before, firstly during RWC 2023, but have never been outside of the top 10.

New Zealand remain in third place but with a slightly improved rating of 88.70 points.

Japan, meanwhile, have been replaced in 13th by Samoa, who battled past USA to claim third place in the Pacific Nations Cup.

By Jon Newcombe, Rugbypass