South Africa’s Springboks held their nerve to clinch a thrilling 29-27 win over Argentina, securing their second consecutive Rugby Championship title at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday. The win not only marked a victory for Rassie Erasmus’ side but also confirmed their status as the world’s top-ranked rugby team.
Springboks Maintain World No.1 Spot
The Springboks‘ victory was a close-run affair, with two tries each from Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx proving pivotal. Despite Argentina’s spirited fightback, South Africa managed to hold on to the win. The result saw the Boks add 0.28 ranking points to their total, bringing their tally to 91.90, ensuring they remain at the top of the World Rugby rankings.
Argentina, despite their defeat, held onto their sixth-place ranking with 84.12 points, although they lost 0.28 points from their total. Their performance continues to be impressive, keeping them in contention for a top-tier seeding at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand Back in Second, Narrow Gap to Springboks
In a day of high-stakes rugby, New Zealand also had reason to celebrate, as they secured their 11th straight victory over Australia with a 28-14 win in Perth. This result allowed the All Blacks to climb back above Ireland into second place in the rankings, closing the gap between themselves and South Africa to just 0.82 points.
With the Springboks holding onto the number-one spot by a narrow margin, the stage is set for an exciting Autumn Nations Series, where teams like New Zealand, Ireland, France, and England will challenge South Africa for supremacy.
Argentina’s Consistency Pays Off
For Argentina, their strong showing throughout the Rugby Championship has ensured that they remain one of the top teams in the world, occupying a steady spot in the top six. As the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw approaches, Argentina will be pleased with their consistency, ensuring their place among the top seeds.
The Road Ahead: Top Five Teams Entering the November Internationals
The top five teams in the world are now separated by just a few ranking points, setting the stage for an incredibly competitive November international series. As it stands, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, and England are all within reach of the top spot.
Latest World Rugby Rankings
- South Africa – 91.90 (+0.28)
- New Zealand – 90.02 (+0.74)
- Ireland – 89.83
- France – 87.82
- England – 87.64
- Argentina – 84.12 (-0.28)
- Australia – 83.67 (-0.74)
- Scotland – 81.57
- Fiji – 81.16
- Italy – 77.77
Related: Could Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu Be Springboks’ Best Thing After Record-Breaking 37 Points?
South Africa’s victory solidifies their dominance in world rugby and sets them up for a strong finish to the year. With the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, the Springboks will look to build on this momentum as they head into the November internationals.
What do you think of South Africa’s performance? Can they maintain their position at the top of the rankings? Let us know in the comments below.
