South Africa’s Springboks emerged victorious in the Rugby Championship with a narrow 29-27 win over Argentina at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, securing back-to-back titles. The win was crucial not only for the championship but also for maintaining their position at the top of the world rugby rankings.
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The Springboks showed resilience to clinch the win, with Cobus Reinach and Malcolm Marx each scoring two tries. Despite a strong comeback from Argentina, the Boks managed to defend their slim lead and secure the victory. The result added 0.28 ranking points to their total, keeping them firmly at the top with 91.90 points.
Argentina, on the other hand, came up short but retained their sixth-place position, with 84.12 points, despite losing 0.28 points from their tally. This solid performance keeps them in line for a top-seeding spot in the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup draw.
New Zealand Leapfrogs Ireland
Earlier on Saturday, New Zealand triumphed 28-14 over Australia in Perth, extending their unbeaten streak against the Wallabies. This victory boosted their ranking, moving them into second place, surpassing Ireland. New Zealand now trails South Africa by only 0.82 points, making the race for the top spot incredibly tight heading into the Autumn Nations Series.
Argentina’s Consistency Still Shines
Argentina’s consistency throughout the competition means they remain one of the top contenders in world rugby. Though they lost, their performance has kept them within the top six, and they will be among the key teams to watch as the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaches.
Tight Race for the Top Heading into November Internationals
The race for the top position is tighter than ever, with only a few points separating the top five teams. South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, and England will all have their eyes on the number-one spot when the November internationals get underway.
Updated 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
Read also: How Springboks Thrashed All Blacks to Stay No. 1 in World Rugby Rankings
The Springboks can now head into the Autumn Nations Series with a boost of confidence. Their impressive title defence strengthens their position as world leaders, but with New Zealand closing in, they’ll need to stay focused if they are to remain at the top.
What are your thoughts on South Africa’s victory? Do you think they can hold on to their top ranking in the coming months? Share your opinion in the comments.
