South Africa back at number one in world rankings

South Africa returned to the top of the World Rugby rankings, overtaking the All Blacks at the summit, following the results at the weekend.

With the Springboks beating Scotland 30-15 in the early kick-off on Saturday, New Zealand knew they had to get a positive result against Ireland in Dublin to stay at number one.

However, they were no match for Ireland on the day and fell to a 29-20 defeat that could have been worse had the Irish converted their first-half dominance of territory and possession into more than James Lowe’s try.

Ireland were much more clinical in the second half, especially just after the break, when hooker Ronan Kelleher got his sixth international try of the year and flanker Caelan Doris scored to cap a man-of-the-match display.

New Zealand went into the weekend needing four tries to become the first team to score 100 tries in a calendar year but they fell two short of their goal, with Codie Taylor and the prolific Will Jordan touching down.

Clinical Springboks

Like the All Blacks, Scotland were left to rue some uncharacteristic errors as their poor record against the Springboks continued. South Africa won for the 18th time in the last 20 meetings courtesy of tries in each half from Makazole Mapimpi and the kicking of Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard and Frans Steyn.

With South Africa gaining half a rating point for their victory and the All Blacks losing 1.34 points as a result of their second defeat in Dublin in as many games, the Springboks now hold a 1.8-point lead at the top.

But with points on the line in Paris, when France take on the All Blacks in a dress rehearsal for the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023, and in London when England and South Africa re-enact the Rugby World Cup 2019 final, the situation could change again next weekend.

England are up to third after a 32-15 win over an Australian side that has come out on the wrong side of Eddie Jones’ men in their last eight outings.

It wasn’t a vintage display from England but tries from the impressive rookie full-back Freddie Steward and try-machine Jamie Blamire at the start and the end of the match proved decisive in a contest dominated by penalties. All of the Wallabies’ points came from the boot of James O’Connor, while Owen Farrell kicked 17 points and Marcus Smith five for the home side.

Australia’s defeat and Ireland’s magnificent win over the All Blacks puts the Irish up to fourth and the Wallabies down to fifth.

France’s position and rating points total is unchanged following their 41-15 win over Georgia in Bordeaux, with Les Bleus remaining in sixth place on 84.25 points – just over one-and-a-half points above Scotland (82.78). Argentina are next, on 80.81 points, having boosted their rating by half a point with a five-try, 37-16 win over Italy in Treviso.

Meanwhile, both Wales and Japan were given a scare by Fiji and Portugal, respectively, but they remain in eighth and ninth position after finding a way to win.

Siya snub perplexes all

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