The Springboks have dropped to No 6 in the World Rugby rankings after their 25-10 loss to England in Cape Town.

By avoiding a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series against the Boks, England have climbed to fourth (84.35 to 85.86), above the Wallabies, who lost their series decider against Ireland 20-16.

If England had scored three more points at Newlands, they would have risen to third.

Ireland picked up 0.92 of a point to further secure second place in the rankings behind an All Blacks side that gained no reward for their third straight win over France.

Scotland’s 44-15 win in Argentina earned them a 1.19 point increase, not enough to take them above the Boks, while Los Pumas are in ninth position after Fiji lost their final Pacific Nations Cup match against Tonga.

World Rugby rankings (Top 10):

1. New Zealand 93.99
2. Ireland 90.12
3. Wales 85.94
4. England 85.68
5. Australia 84.48
6. South Africa 83.32
7. Scotland 83.02
8. France 79.10
9. Fiji 76.54
10. Argentina 75.55
Full rankings


How the rankings work

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images