The Springboks have dropped to fourth in the World Rugby rankings after their loss to Ireland.

The 26-20 defeat at Newlands cost the Boks two rating points, resulting in a one-place relegation. Ireland gained two ranking points, but it was not enough for them to surpass Wales in sixth.

England's seventh straight Test victory under Eddie Jones – a 39-28 triumph against the Wallabies in Brisbane – earns them a 1.77 rating points increase, which coupled with the Boks' demise lifts them to third in the rankings. 

The top two, New Zealand and Australia, remain unchanged but the Wallabies did drop 1.77 ranking points following the defeat at Suncorp Stadium and are now just 1.19 points ahead of England. 

In the only other change to the top 10, Fiji rose to 10th place ahead of Japan. 

World Rugby rankings (Top 20)

1. New Zealand 96.10
2. Australia 87.56
3. England 86.37
4. South Africa 85.66
5. Argentina 82.59
6. Wales 82.49
7. Ireland 82.33
8. France 78.39
9. Scotland 78.32
10. Fiji 77.13
11. Japan 77.07
12. Georgia 72.70
13. Tonga 71.43
14. Italy 70.78
Full rankings 
How the rankings work

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