The Springboks have strengthened their position at the top of the World Rugby rankings, following their win over the All Blacks.
Rassie Erasmus’ side returned to the summit last week after their victory in Cape Town, with Dave Rennie’s side previously leapfrogging them after Test One of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
In defeat, the All Blacks also missed the chance to make rankings history, with a victory ensuring the top spot would change hands three weeks in succession for the first time.
Springboks grow lead at top of World Rugby rankings
Erasmus’s side secured a strong 29-24 victory at the FNB Stadium to give them an additional 0.94 points and take their overall points score to 94.33 at the top of the rankings table. It also stretches their advantage over the All Blacks to a 2.43-point cushion.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx all touched down for the hosts, around a penalty try in the first-half from a dominant scrum for good measure, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted three kicks off the tee (two conversions and a penalty) along the way.
The All Blacks did also score four tries, coming via an Ardie Savea brace alongside further efforts from Will Jordan and Samisoni Taukei’aho, but missed kicks at goal proved the difference come full-time.
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Australia also remain seventh in the rankings table after they drew 28-28 against Argentina in Test Two of their series in South America. Les Kiss’ side held a 14-0 lead shortly before half-time, only for Los Pumas to bag two quick tries to make it all square at half-time. The second-half then saw the hosts get a 28-21 lead of their own heading into the closing stages, before a penalty try made it all square once again. That result means Argentina close the gap slightly on their opponents, but are still trailing by 1.31 points.
Elsewhere, Japan secured a resounding 57-12 win over Canada to continue their recent improvement. Eddie Jones’ side held the advantage from the get-go with Takato Okabe scoring inside the opening five minutes, before the Brave Blossoms added eight further scores. Canada did add a consolation try through Ben LeSage, though.
However, the victory does not change Japan’s position on the rankings chart, with Jones’ side still sat 12th on 75.36 points.
Latest World Rugby rankings
1 (1) South Africa 94.33
2 (2) New Zealand 91.90
3 (3) Ireland 88.08
4 (4) France 87.43
5 (5) England 85.68
6 (6) Scotland 84.78
7 (7) Australia 83.55
8 (8) Argentina 82.24
9 (9) Fiji 78.00
10 (10) Wales 76.38
11 (11) Italy 76.30
12 (12) Japan 75.36
13 (13) Georgia 73.94
14 (14) USA 70.22
15 (15) Portugal 69.39
16 (16) Chile 66.94
17 (17) Spain 66.83
18 (18) Uruguay 65.75
19 (19) Tonga 65.14
20 (20) Samoa 64.73