Rugby world rankings: Springboks extend lead, All Blacks fall and USA rise: Planet Rugby

On November 18, 2024By Pranco

The Springboks have extended their lead at the top of the World Rugby rankings, while the All Blacks have fallen and Ireland have risen following last weekend’s Autumn Nations Series action.

New Zealand knocked Ireland off the top of the world rankings after their 23-13 win at the Aviva Stadium a fortnight ago, as Andy Farrell’s side dropped from first to third.

However, the All blacks‘ Their time in second place lasted just over a week as Scott Robertson’s side suffered a 30-29 defeat to France in Paris.

That result, combined with others from the weekend’s international action, has seen eight teams swap positions in the top 20.

South Africa remains at the top

Cheslin Kolbe crossed two tries in the Springboks‘ 29-20 victory over England at the Allianz Stadium, a result which saw South Africa extend its lead at the top of the world rankings.

The Boks now have a 2.0 points lead – after starting the weekend with a 1.25 lead – over second-placed Ireland, who moved ahead of New Zealand after their narrow 22-19 win over Argentina on Friday evening.

France claimed their third successive win over the All Blacks on Saturday, but the result was not enough to move them into the top three of the rankings, but did see them close the gap to New Zealand to just under two ranking points . Les Bleus will remain in fourth place for at least another week while the rest of the top 10 remains unchanged.

Argentina lost 0.20 rating points for their three-point loss to Ireland and retained fifth place as Scotland earned no points for their comprehensive victory over Portugal.

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Meanwhile, Australia are just 0.14 points behind England in seventh place after their 52-20 thrashing of Wales and Steve Borthwick’s loss to the Boks.

Fiji retains ninth place despite Italy’s victory over Georgia, with the latter two countries retaining 1st and 11th places in the rankings respectively.

However, there was further movement in the top 20, with Japan moving ahead of Samoa into 13th place after Eddie Jones’ side defeated Uruguay 36-20 at the Chambery Savoie Stadium in France.

In the US’s first win over Tonga since 1999, the Americans swapped places with Portugal as the Eagles moved to 15th position. As for Tonga, they fell one place below Uruguay to 19th, while Romania rounded out the top 20.

Outside the top 20, the Netherlands and Kenya were the biggest risers, with the Netherlands moving from 27th to 24th position after their shock win over Chile, while the Kenyans defeated Uganda 21-5 and also moved three places from 36th to 33rd.

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Latest world rugby rankings as of 11/18/2024

1 South Africa 92.78
2 Ireland 90.78
3 New Zealand 90.09
4 France 88.08
5 Argentina 85.40
6 Scotland 82.70
7 England 82.31
8 Australia 82.17
9 Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 78.92
11 Wales 74.01
12 Georgia 73.85
13 Japan 72.95
14 Samoa 72.68
15 US 68.90
16 Portugal 68.82
17 Spain 67.10
18 Uruguay 65.94
19 Tonga 65.46
20 Romania 63.87