Wales have moved up in World Rugby’s rankings, despite being hammered by South Africa 43-0 in Durban.

Steve Tandy’s side ended their summer being kept off the scoreboard by the Springboks, bringing the first part of the Nations Championship campaign to a disappointing denouement. However, despite another chastening defeat to the world champions, Wales actually managed to rise up the world rankings.

Having started the weekend in 12th, they will now sit in 11th when the rankings are officially updated on Monday.

The rise is down to Italy plummeting following their 57-10 thrashing against Australia in Perth.

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The Azzurri fell from 10th to 12th – with successive defeats to Japan and New Zealand undoing much of the good work from this year’s Six Nations, when they beat Scotland and England.

Having lost ranking points Down Under, Italy now fall to their lowest ranking since the 2023 World Cup.

Wales, who didn’t lose any ranking points in the defeat to South Africa, aren’t the only team to benefit from Italy’s fall.

Japan moved up from 11th to 10th, with the Brave Blossoms reaching the top 10 for the first time in almost three years.

There’s no change in the top 10 after this weekend’s results, although South Africa’s lead at the top of the rankings was cut slightly following New Zealand’s win over Ireland.

Wales still remain adrift of the world’s top eight, despite former captain Sam Warburton admitting on Saturday that should be their target in the short-term.

They remain 5.23 points behind eighth-placed Australia.

World Rankings

1. South Africa – 93.96 (-)

2. New Zealand – 92.28 (-)

3. Ireland – 88.08 (-)

4. France – 87.43 (-)

5. England – 85.68 (-)

6. Scotland – 84.78 (-)

7. Argentina – 83.13 (-)

8. Australia – 81.61 (-)

9. Fiji – 78.00 (-)

10. Japan – 76.42 (+1)

11. Wales – 76.38 (+1)

12. Italy – 76.30 (-2)

13. Georgia – 73.94 (-)

14. USA – 70.22 (-)

15. Portugal – 69.39 (-)

16. Chile – 66.94 (+2)

17. Spain – 66.83 (-1)

18. Uruguay – 65.75 (-1)

19. Tonga – 65.14 (+1)

20. Samoa – 64.73 (-)

21. Romania – 62.45 (+1)

22. Belgium – 61.03 (+1)

23. Hong Kong China – 60.74 (+1)

24. Canada – 60.37 (-1)

25. Zimbabwe – 57.68 (-)

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