South Africa Move Second In Rankings

Breyton Paulse in celebratory mood

Jake White’s South Africa have swapped places with Australia, one of Ireland’s autumn Test opponents, in the latest IRB World rankings.

The Springboks brought New Zealand back down to earth on Saturday by claiming a famous 22-16 win in Cape Town, preserving their winning start to the 2005 Tri-Nations tournament.

The ‘Boks edged Australia by the same score nine days ago, and courtesy of those results, White’s men have leapfrogged the Wallabies into second in the rankings, released today.

The All Blacks are still top of the global game with a rating of 89.85. Ireland, out of action until the Kiwis visit Lansdowne Road on November 12, are seventh on 82.14.

IRB WORLD RANKINGS (8/8/05):

(1) New Zealand 89.85

(2) South Africa 88.46

(3) Australia 87.49

(4) France 84.13

(5) Wales 83.08

(6) England 82.81

(7) Ireland 82.14

(8) Argentina 75.66

(9) Scotland 74.20

(10) Fiji 73.47