After an exciting weekend of international rugby, the rugby landscape has changed dramatically. The nation’s Springboks have become a global force since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup, steadily climbing the World Rugby rankings. Sitting at number 4 in the world before the shocking game that we all witnessed on Friday, 25th August, where we completely knocked the Kiwis off their world rugby number 2 ranking. The All Blacks, who are usually unstoppable, have been shook up with a reality check
Twickenham to Host a Statement Match
The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 35-7 at Twickenham in a match that stunned rugby fans around the world. This was one of the worst losses in All Blacks history. The 80,827 fans in attendance were pumped up as South Africa controlled the first half and led 14-0 at halftime. The Springboks’ stature has been raised thanks to this victory, and the World Rugby rankings have changed dramatically as a result.
The Rankings Shuffle
As a result of their victory, South Africa has moved up to second place in the World Rugby standings. However, after a string of losses, New Zealand has fallen to fourth place, behind a red-hot France that just defeated Australia.
World Rugby Rankings (Post-Recent Matches)
| Rankings | Teams | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 91.82 |
| 2 (up from 3) | South Africa | 91.08 (+1.71) |
| 3 (up from 4) | France | 89.22 |
| 4 (Dropped from 2) | New Zealand | 89.06 (-1.71) |
| 5 | Scotland | 84.01 |
| 6 (Climb from 7) | Argentina | 80.86 |
| 7 (Climb from 9) | Fiji | 80.28 (+1.58) |
| 8 (Dropped from 6) | England | 79.95 (-1.58) |
| 9 (Dropped from 8) | Australia | 79.87 |
| 10 | Wales | 78.26 |
After a close victory over Samoa, Ireland now holds first place, 0.74 points ahead of the rising Springboks.
Aiming Sights at the 2023 World Cup
With the 2023 World Cup fast approaching, the current state of international rugby rankings has set the stage for a competitive competition. On Sunday, September 10th, South Africa will kick off their campaign against Scotland. On Friday, September 8th, France and New Zealand will battle it out in what promises to be an exciting rugby encounter.
We’re feeling confident heading into the World Cup after this victory. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said in an interview after the game, “Our fans should be ready for more thrilling rugby.”
Upcoming Matches for the Springboks
As the Rugby World Cup unfolds, the Springboks have a series of key games to look forward to. Here’s a rundown of their scheduled matches:
- 10th September at Stade Velodrome in Marseille: A clash against Scotland awaits, with a kick-off set for 17:45.
- On 17th September, they’ll meet Romania at the picturesque Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux. The whistle blows at 15:00.
- The much-anticipated match against top-ranked Ireland is slated for 23rd September at the iconic Stade de France in Paris, commencing at 21:00.
- Rounding off the group stage, the Boks face Tonga on 1st October, back at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome. This evening match is scheduled for 21:00.
But the action doesn’t stop there! Post the group stages:
- The quarter-finals are pegged for the weekend of 14th and 15th October.
- The high-stakes semi-finals follow on the weekend of 21st and 22nd October.
- The grand culmination, the final match, is marked for 28th October.
Mark your calendars and ensure you’re tuned in for these crucial fixtures.
The good news for South African supporters is that the World Cup matches will be shown at times that are convenient for local viewers.
There is now more intrigue in the international rugby story because of the fluctuating rankings. Fans can look forward to a tournament full of passion, skill, and amazing moments as teams compete for the World Cup title.