Boks hold on to fourth spot despite losing

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The Springboks remained fourth in the World Rugby rankings, despite slumping to a 16-point defeat against England on Twickenham on Saturday.

The top-five pecking order – consisting of New Zealand, England, Australia, South Africa and Ireland – are unchanged, but England and the Wallabies have moved further away from the Boks thanks to ranking-point increases.

World rugby pacesetters the All Blacks are stuck on 94.57 rating points, despite claiming a 68-10 victory over Italy in Rome.

The Springboks’ first loss to England in 10 years saw them slip from 84.85 to 84.49 rating points, while the same result earned Eddie Jones’s team 0.35 of a points increase, from 89.49 to 89.84.

Australia’s last-gasp 23-22 win over Scotland bettered their rating by 0.65 of a point, as they went from 86.86 to 87.51.

Argentina’s narrow 24-20 loss at the hands of Wales saw them drop two places to eighth, elevating Wales and France to sixth and seventh spot respectively.

Japan’s defeat of Georgia lifted them to 11th at the expense of their victims, who dropped to 12th.

World Rugby rankings (Top 20)

1. New Zealand 94.57
2. England 89.84
3. Australia 87.51
4. South Africa 84.49
5. Ireland 83.67
6. Wales 81.82
7. France 80.75
8. Argentina 80.71
9. Scotland 79.78
10. Fiji 75.49
11. Japan 75.25
12. Georgia 73.78
13. Italy 72.23
14. Samoa 71.37
15. Tonga 69.70


Full rankings
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