The All Blacks have reduced the Springboks’ lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings.
New Zealand earned 0.38 ranking points from their 43-21 win against sixth-placed Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday to move up to 92.65 points, just 0.44 behind South Africa (93.09).
The world champions thrashed 11th-placed Italy 66-7 in Turin but earned no ranking points because the gap between the teams exceeded 10 points before the match.
The Boks’ No 1 ranking will again be on the line when they face fourth-placed France in Paris on Friday night, with the All Blacks taking on 10th-placed Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
If Les Bleus beat the Boks and the All Blacks defeat Wales, Dave Rennie’s men will move to the top of the rankings.
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Meanwhile, England’s 45-22 victory over Australia at Twickenham earned them 1.31 ranking points, taking their tally to 86.99 – just 0.50 behind France.
The Wallabies remain seventh.
World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.09
2. New Zealand 92.65 (+0.38)
3. Ireland 88.70 (+0.63)
4. France 87.49 (+0.06)
5. England 86.99 (+1.31)
6. Scotland 84.40 (-0.38)
7. Australia 83.12 (-1.31)
8. Argentina 81.62 (-0.63)
9. Fiji 77.79 (-0.06)
10. Wales 77.37 (+0.99)
11. Italy 76.30
12. Japan 75.25 (-0.99)
13. Georgia 73.94
14. Portugal 70.52 (+1.13)
15. (↑2) Spain 67.73 (+0.89)
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post All Blacks close gap on Boks, eye top spot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The All Blacks have reduced the Springboks’ lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings.
The post All Blacks close gap on Boks, eye top spot appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
