South Africa secure much needed bonus point win in Siya Kolisi's 50th test as Springbok captain
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World Rugby’s Two Best Teams to Contest Final As South Africa and New Zealand Chase Glory in France
Byron Pillay
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
- South Africa have reclaimed the top spot in the rugby rankings after victory over France
- New Zealand have moved up to second after they beat the former world number-one side
- Ireland and France have both dropped down the rankings following their losses in quarters
The Springboks are back on top of the rankings and will face the second-best team in the world in the final.
The South African side reclaimed the number one spot in the world after booking their place in the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023.
Source: Getty Images
The Boks then narrowly beat England in the final four in what was a repeat of the 2019 final. The defending champions beat the English by a single point. winning the encounter 16-15.
They also had a close shave in the quarter-finals when they picked up a hard-fought 29-28 win over the host nation, France, Rugby365 reported.
With the win, the South Africans have now jumped up two places in the rankings, from third to first, World Rugby confirmed.
The biggest winners in the rankings
Apart from the Boks, the All Blacks also shot up the charts thanks to their performance in the tournament.
The three-time champions have moved up from fourth to second. They earned their place in the final by beating Argentina 44-6 in the semi-final.
England then beat Argentina in the bronze medal match. As a result of their performance in the tournament, they have now moved up to fifth in the rankings.
Ireland and France lose out
Former world number one, Ireland, now find themselves in third after they were dumped out in the quarter-finals. France, who were second, are now in fourth place.
The current Top 10 in world rugby
Position | Team | Previous Position | Ranking Points |
1 | South Africa | 3 | 92.48 |
2 | New Zealand | 4 | 90.91 |
3 | Ireland | 1 | 90.57 |
4 | France | 2 | 87.81 |
5 | England | 6 | 84.03 |
6 | Scotland | 5 | 83.43 |
7 | Argentina | 8 | 83.07 |
8 | Wales | 7 | 80.64 |
9 | Australia | 9 | 77.48 |
10 | Fiji | 10 | 76.38 |
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Rugby
Official rankings before Rugby World Cup 2023
Sports Brief previously reported on the official World Rugby rankings ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.
South Africa were not ranked in the top two going into the tourney but were still favourites to defend the crown.
Three-time champions, New Zealand found themselves outside the top three ahead of the tournament in France.
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