The Springboks have regained fifth position in the World Rugby rankings after their 3-0 series whitewash of France.

The Springboks beat Les Bleus 35-12 in the third and final Test at Ellis Park on Saturday to earn a 0.53 of a point increase. France remain seventh, but suffered a 0.53 loss.

Scotland were deducted 1.43 rating points following their surprise 27-22 defeat to Fiji in Suva and drop to sixth in the rankings.

The rest of the top 10 are unchanged. However, third-ranked Ireland were given a 0.30 of a point increase after beating Japan 35-13, Wales lost 0.17 of a rating point, despite their 19-17 win against Samoa, while Argentina and Fiji increased their rating points tally following victories over Georgia and Scotland respectively.

Lower down, Italy and Samoa swapped places in 14th and 15th position, with the Pacific Islanders losing 0.28 of a point.

World Rugby rankings (Top 20)

1. New Zealand 94.78
2. England 90.14
3. Ireland 85.39
4. Australia 84.63
5. South Africa 84.16
6. Scotland 82.47
7. Wales 81.73
8. France 79.63
9. Argentina 79.50
10. Fiji 78.06
11. Japan 74.09
12. Georgia 73.61
13. Tonga 71.40
14. Italy 71.00
15. Samoa 70.97
16. Romania 70.27
17. USA 66.10
18. Spain 64.02
19. Russia 63.13
20. Uruguay 62.28

Full rankings
How the rankings work

Photo: Anne Laing/HM Images