The Springboks have climbed to fourth in the World Rugby rankings following their 26-3 quarter-final win over Japan on Sunday.
South Africa’s hard-fought 23-point triumph against the World Cup host nation earned them a 2.8 rating-points increase from 85.75 to 88.55 and moved them to fourth place, above Ireland.
The Boks thank the crowd after their win over Japan pic.twitter.com/gtRy9vZmk8
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 20, 2019
The Irish were docked 1.48 points following their 46-14 capitulation to the All Blacks, whose rating at the top was increased by 1.5 points.
England are second after their 40-16 defeat of the Wallabies, who are back in sixth position thanks to Japan’s relegation down to eighth.
Wales’ narrow one-point win over France keeps them on third, while France rise one spot from eighth to seventh.
World Rugby rankings:
1. New Zealand 92.47
2. England 89.74
3. Wales 89.37
4. South Africa 88.55
5. Ireland 84.45
6. Australia 81.90
7. France 80.88
8. Japan 79.28
9. Scotland 79.23
10. Argentina 78.31
Full rankings
How the rankings work
Photo: Getty Images