The Springboks’ 2.43 rating points advantage at the summit of Test rugby rankings remain unscathed, at least for the next two weeks, after Ireland failed to gain ground on the world champions.
The updated World Rugby Test Men’s Rankings show that only two teams improved their rating as a result of this weekend’s results and two teams were deducted points.
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SPRINGBOKS REIGN SUPREME IN WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
Fortunately for the Springboks, their closest rivals at the top of the rankings — Ireland — aren’t one of those team who’ve improved their standing.
After two extremely close Six Nations games on Saturday, the competition’s solitary match on Sunday ended in a 31-7 win for Ireland against Wales.
But no points were awarded the reigning champions though, due to the 12.57 points and six-place difference between Ireland in second and Wales in eighth before home advantage was also factored in.
The Springboks, sitting on 94.54 ratings points, thus boast a healthy 2.43 lead over the next best Test team Ireland, who are on 92.11 points.
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BEST OF THE REST
Elsewhere, the dramatic 13-all draw between France and Italy cost Les Bleus a full rankings point, but luckily for them they stayed in fourth position. The result earned Italy entry into the top 10 courtesy of a one-point increase, with Fiji dropping to 11th.
And following Scotland’s 30-31 Calcutta Cup triumph over England, just 0.64 of a rating point now separates them with the sixth-ranked Scots gaining big ground on the fifth-placed Roses.
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